THE 

HISTORY  OF  VIRGINIA, 


FROM 


ITS  FIRST  SETTLEMENT 


THE      PRESENT      DAY. 


BY  JOH.V  BURK. 


VOLUME  III. 


PETERSBURG,     VIRGINIA, 

PRINTED  B  Y  DICKSOJY  &  PESCUD, 

AND  TOR  SALE  AT  THE     BOOK-STORES    OF  SOMERVELL    &    CONRAD,  PE- 
TERSBURG... JOHN  CONRAD,  tf  CO.  PHILADELPHIA  ...MICHAEL  &* 
JOHN  CONRAD,  t?  CO.    BALTIMORE. ...RAPINE,  CONRAD,  ^ 
CO.  WASHINGTON  CITY... .AND   BONSALL,  CON- 
RAD,   &  CO.    NORFOLK. 

1805. 


>  r  *.\ 


CHAPTER  I. 


Impressions  excited  amongst  the  first  colonists  by. 

the  appearance  of  the  Bay  ofChesaf>eake—J)y  the 
dress,  color  and  arms  oj  the  natives — by  the  pe- 
culiarity of  the  climate.  Reflections  on  the  vari- 
ation of  the  climates  of  America.  How  ac- 
counted for.  Almost  unvaried  sameness  of  the 
various  nations  of  American  Indians  in  shape, 
figure  and  color — almost  infinite  variety  in  their 
language.  Indians  have  a  common  original — 
Mr.  Jeffersorfs  hypothesis  why  it  should  not  be 
admitted.  Cases  apparently  in  support  of  Ray- 
nafrs  and  Buff  on*  s  opinion  of  Indian  incapacity — 
Why  inconclusive.  A  thorough  enquiry  into  the 
Indian  character^  language  and  descent  highly 
important.  Character  of  Indians  better  known 
than  when  Robertson  vurole.  Robertson's  analy- 
sis of  Indian  character  and  manners  examined. 
The  bodily  structure  and  external  appearance  of 
the  Indian. — His  beardless  countenance*  Their 
insensibility  to  the  charms  of  beauty,  and  the 
power  of  love.  Their  limited  capacity.  The 
same  vices  had  been  objected  to  the  Spartans. — 
Extraordinary  similarity  in  the  Indian  and 
Spartan  customs  and  manners.  A  brief  review 
of  their  common  usages.  Their  profound  respect 
and  deference  Jor  the  persons  and  opinions  of  the, 
old  men.  Their  stoical  indifference— ^their  appa- 
rent extinction  of  natural  affection  in  the  passion 
oj  patriotism — their  contempt  oj  death>  an&lieir 


_  in  supporting  torture — their-  tacitur* 

:.  _•' :  -:  '  : . .  gtf vV  •reserve  and  deliberation — The  character 
of  their  eloquence  and  private  conversation. — 
Their  treatment  of  their  children. — Their  mili- 
tary habits — Both  prefer  stratagem  to  force  — 
Their  mode  of  forming  and preserving  friendship. 
— With  both  war  is  a  season  of  rest  nnd plea- 
sure — Their  contempt  of  cowardice  >,  and  their  pe- 
nalties against  it — their  equality— Their  disin- 
terestedness—7  heir  refusal  to  portion  the'w 
daughters — Their  respect  for  the  laws  and  an- 
cient manners — Their  custom  of  destroying  their 
deformed  children.  The  general  portrait  will 
serve  for  the  Virginia  Indian.  This  enquiry 
drawn  from  authentic  sources.  Plan  of  In- 
dian civilization  adopted  by  United  States,  Its 
success.  Complexion  o/  Virginia  Indian.  The 
powers  and,  qualities  of  his  mind — his  arithme- 
tic— Few  abstract  ideas — JVhy  ?  Their  admi- 
rable address  in  managing  treaties— Their  elo- 
quence— Their  little  knowledge  of  the  useful  arts. 
No  written  laws.  Their  absolute  freedom. — 
Their  appearance  when  preparing  for  battle. — 
Their  war  songs — Their  punishments — Their 
mode  of  distinguishing  the  year—By  months 
— by  seasons — by  hours. --Their  notions  of  re- 
ligion.— The  great  spirit  or  master  breath. — 
Their  idea  of  a  future  state.  T/ieir  festivals. 
Their  domestic  relations.  Their  notions  of  mar- 
riage. — Influence  of  the  women.  Order  and  de- 
portment of  an  Indian  assembly.  Who  were  the 
ancestors  of  this  people — Various  opinions  on  this 
faad. 


HISTORY. 


VIRGINIA  presented  to  the  first  settlers  an     CHAP. 
appearance  calculated  to  impress  them  with  feel-         *• 
ings  of  grandeur  and   sublimity.     Immense  ib-  impres- 
rests,   which  appeared  to  have  continued  undis-  sions  excit- 
turbed  from  the  creation :   The   silence,    which  ed  among 
reigned  through  those  regions,  and  which  is  in-  |"'5t  settlers 
terrupted  only  by  the  rustling  of  the  leaves,  by  p^nofof 
the  e;k  or  butfaloe ;  or  the  waving  of  the  branches  u)e  Chesa- 
by  the  wind  ;  unless  when  the  death  like  stillness  peake. 
is  broken  by  the  soul  chilling  tones  of  the  war 
whoop  and  the  harsh  discords  of  the  war  song; 
the  cautious  and  silent  step  of  the  Indian  moving 
like  a  ghost  present  ideas  of  sublime  and  solitary 
grandeur. 

No  traces  of  cultivation  appeared :  The  glebe 
had  never  been  turned  up.  The  earth  in  its  se- 
parate strata  remained  as  it  had  been  assorted  ac- 
cording to  its  specific  gravities  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  world. 

THE  Bay  of  Chesapeake  was  particularly  cal- 
culated to  keep  alive  those  impressions.  Forests 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  see,  covered  the  face  of 
the  country  and  descended  to  the  very  edge  of  the 
water.  Several  great  rivers,  whose  distance  from 
their  sources  was  manifested  by  the  depth  and 
breadth  of  their  channels,  discharged  their  vast 
tributes  into  it  in  their  sight ;  while  tribes  of  In- 
dians made  signs  to  thefn  from  the  shore  or  sailed 
round  them  in  canoes, 


6  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  THE  dress,  arms*  and  complexion  of  the  native; 
became  new  sources  of  wonder.  Their  skin  wa: 
of  a  copper  colour,  and  the  character  of  thei 

Bythe  dress  face  fierce  and  barbarous:  But  their  Ions 

color  and       .  ,     ,    .    .  ,     .     .  .  .          ..     ,     .*• 

arms  of  the  black  hair  and  the  admirable  proportion  or  thei: 

natives.  bodies  were  proofs  of  a  radical  difference  betweei 
them  and  the  inhabitants  of  Africa.  They  ap 
peared  to  be  a  new  species  equally  removed  fron 
the  men  of  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa. 

THE  climates  too  as  well  as  the  complexioi 

JJy  the  pc-  were  different  from  those  of  countries  lying  in  pa 

culiarity  of  rallel  latitudes.  The  air  was  much  colder  than  ii 

climate,       the  ancient  continent.    This  remark  will  apply  t< 

every  part  of  the  new  world,  f     Heat  alone  is  in 

sufficient  to  determine  the  distance  of  any  placi 

in  America  from  the  equator  although  it  is  a  to 

lerably  safe  and  correct  measure  of  latitude  ii 

the  other  quarters  of  the  globe.    The   elevation 

Reflections  humidity  and  extent  of  the  American  continents 

suggested    the  vast  extent  of  the  ocean,  which  washes  it; 

e  *ari"  coasts ;  the  great  height  of  its  mountains  and  the 

inateTn0  "  direction  of  its  predominant  winds,  must  be  tak^r 

America,     into  calculation.    There  are  doubtless  other  cir 

cumstances  :  But  those,   which  have  been  enu- 


*  A  cloak  of  buffaloe  or  beaver  skin,  bound  with  a  lea 
them  girdle,  and  stockings  made  of  roe  buck  skins,  was 
the  whole  of  their  dress  before  their  intercourse  with  us; 
what  they  have  addtd  since  gives  great  offence  to  their  ok 
men,  who  are  ever  lamenting  the  degtneracy  of  their  man- 
ners. J<ayr>al's  History  of  America,  fiage— . 

t  The  author  of  Recherches  Philosophicjues  sur  les  Ame- 
i  icy  ins  supposes  the  difference  in  heat  to  be  equal  to  12  de- 
grees, and  that  a  place  30  degrees  from  the  equator  in  the 
old  con  mem  is  as  warm  as  one  distant  only  18  from  it  in 
the  new.  Dr  Mitchell  after  observations  carried  on  during 
30  years,  contends  that  the  difference  is  equal  to  14  or  15 
degrees  of  latitude.  Rob.  Am*  J\otc  37. 


VIRGINIA. 

tnerated    have   a   manifest    and   decided    influ- 
ence.   

So  many  circumstances,  which  do  not  exist  Hovv  a<> 
elsewhere  combine  with  htat  in  forming  the  cli-  counted  for. 
mates  of  this  region  that  the  old  standard  must  be 
laid  aside  or  corrected.  The  near  approach  of 
America  to  the  pole;  its  immense  extent;  the 
superior  height  of  its  mountains  covered  with 
everlasting  snow ;  its  vast  lakes  and  rivers ;  its 
'almost  continued  forest ;  but  above  all  the  north 
ivest  wind,  which  blowing  from  the  north  pole  and 
passing  over  a  hard  frozen  and  elevated  ground 
from  which  no  caloric  can  escape  to  warm  it,  de- 
scends with  all  its  rigour  and  severity  on  the  re- 
gions of  North  America.  These  circumstances 
produce  the  striking  difference  between  the  cli- 
mates of  the  old  and  new  world. 

THE  same  observations  will  apply  to  South 
America.  There  the  east  wind  cooled  in  its  pas- 
sage across  the  Atlantic  and  passing  to  the  west 
over  immense  swamps  and  forests  which  ex- 
clude the  heat  and  often  the  light  of  the  sun,  mi- 
tigates the  burning  rigour  of  the  torrid  zone.* 


*  This  coldness  of  the  climate  which  is  felt  all  over 
North  America  appears  to  proceed  principally  and  chiefly 
from  the  three  following  causes,  besides  ethers  that  con- 
spire with  tl.em,  particularly  the  nature  of  the  soil. 

I.  America  extends  further  north  than  any  other  part  of 
the  world  and  by  that  means  is  so  much  colder.     Europe 
is  surrounded  by  the  warmer  ocean  which  is  always  open, 
Asia  by  an  icy  sea   (the  Mare  Glaciale)  and  America  by  a 
frozen  continent  which  occasions  the  diversity  of  the  climate 
in  these  three  continents 

II.  That  continent  which  is  thus  extensive  in  the  northern 
parts,  is  one  entire  group  of  high  mountains  covered  with 
snow  or  rather  with  ice  throughout  the  whole  year.     These 
mountains  rise  in  the  most  northern  parts  of  the  continent 
that  have  been  discovered  in  Baffin's  Bay  and  spread  all 


;  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  OUR  surprize  at  this  variance  between  the  cli~ 
mates  of  the  old  and  new  world  will  be  lessened, 
when  it  is  known  by  actual  observation  and  ex- 
periment that  the  climate  of  V  irginia  has  percep- 


over  it  to  New  England.  Hence  the  coast  of  Labrador  is 
the  highest  in  the  world  and  can  be  discerned  at  the  dis- 
tance ot  forty  leagues  ;  and  in  the  western  parts  discovered 
by  the  Russians  they  tell  us  '*  the  country  had  terrible 
high  mountains  covered  with  snow  in  the  month  of  July." 
This  was  in  latitude  58  degrees,  and  the  country  southward 
to  that  40  degrees,  is  by  the  Spaniards  called  Sierras  Neve- 
dos,  Snowy  Mountain  ;  so  a  ridge  of  mountains  rise  at  Cape 
Tourmente  by  Quebec  and  running  four  or  five  hundred 
leagues^  forming  the  greatest  ridge  of  mountains  in  the  uni- 
verse which  spread  over  all  the  northern  parts  of  the  conti- 
nent. These  are  what  we  call  the  Northern  Snowy  Moun- 
tains. 

III.  All  the  countries  that  lie  within  the  verge  of  these 
mountains  or  north  of  New  England  are  continually  involved 
in  frosts,  snows  or  thick  fogs,  and  the  colds  that  are  felt  in 
the  south  proceed  from  these  frozen  regions  in  the  north  by 
violent  north  west  winds.  These  are  the  peculiar  winds  of  that 
country  and  blow  with  a  violence  which  no  wind  exceeds.  It 
appears  from  many  observations  that  they  blow  quite  across 
the  Atlantic  ocean  to  Europe.  The  great  lakes  of  Canada, 
\vhich  are  inland  seas  extending  north  west  for  twelve  or 
thirteen  hundred  miles,  gives  force  and  direction  to  these 
winds  which  blow  from  the  frozen  regions,  and  bring  the  cli- 
mate of  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  most  southern  parts  of  the 
continent  when  they  blow  for  any  considerable  time. 

Many  Imagine  that  these  colds  proceed  from  the  snow 
lying  in  the  woods,  but  that  is  the  effect  not  the  cause 
of  the  cold.  They  who  attribute  this  to  the  woods  do 
not  distinguish  between  wet  and  cold,  or  the  damps  of 
wood-land  frosts,  which  are  very  different  things.  These 
colds  are  so  far  from  proceeding  from  the  woods  that  one 
half  of  that  continent  which  is  the  coldest  and  from  which 
they  proceed,  has  not  a  wood  in  it,  and  is  so  barren  that  it 
does  not  bare  a  tree  or  a  bush.  It  is  from  this  want  of  woods 
in  the. northern  parts  and  the  lakes  that  these  furious  winds 
proceed  which  are  very  much  abated  by  the  woods.  In  the 
woods  these  cold  winds  may  be  endured,  but  in  the  open 
fitld  they  are  insufferable  either  to  man  or  beast,  and  that 


VIRGINIA:  t> 

tibly  changed  within  the  last  thirty  years.     The     CHAP.  * 
winters    are   neither  so  lorg  and  severe  as  for- 
merly, and  there  is  a  proportional  abatement  in 
the  heat. 

THE  causes  of  this  change  are  obvious.  The 
earth  formerly  covered  with  forest  and  choaked 
with  leaves,  weeds  and  underwood,  is  now  turned 
up  with  the  plough,  and  its  chilled  surface  warm- 
ed by  the  beams  of  the  sun.  Channels  are  now 
in  all  directions  cut  through  the  forests,  which 
afford  a  pa-sage  and  circulation  to  the  stagnant 
air*  There  is  moreover  a  vast  increase  in  popu- 
lation. It  is  difficult  indeed  to  explain  by  those 
causes  the  decrease  of  heat.  I  orests  absorb  the 
rays  of  the  sun  and  intercept  their  progress  to  the 


even  in  our  southern  colonies.  Hence,  if  all  the  woods  in 
that  continent  were  cleared,  Canada  and  Novr*  Scoti*  would 
be  as  inhabitable  as  Hudson's  Bay,  our  northern  colonies  as 
cold  as  Canada,  and  our  adjacent  southern  colonies  in  the 
situation  of  the  northern.  Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves  there- 
fore with  the  vain  hopes  of  mending  nature  and  abating  the 
rigour  of  those  inhospitable  climes  ;  that  is  not  to  be  done  but 
by  cutting  off  twenty  degrees  of  that  continent  in  the  north 
and  leveling  the  innumerable  snowy  mountains. 

No  part  of  the  world  can  be  compared  to  this  in  point  of 
climate  but  the  eastern  parts  of  Asia,  which  are  almost  con- 
tiguous to  America  in  the  north,  and  are  exposed  to  this 
cold  wind  from  the  continent.  Hence  it  appears  from 
comparing  many  observations  in  both,  that  our  colonies  en- 
joy the  same  climate  with  East  Tartary,  China,  Corea  and 
Japan,  the  products  of  which  are  so  rich  and  valuable.  Here 
then  we  might  have  many  of  the  most  valuable  commo- 
dities for  the  colonies,  and  as  they  are  so  entirely  different 
from  any  thing  which  Britain  produces,  they  might  forever 
keep  the  colonies  from  inte .-tiering  with  the  mother  country, 
and  preserve  a  lasting  connection  and  correspondence  be- 
tween them.  Most  of  the  staple  commodities  of  America 
come  from  the  east,  as  sugar,  rice,  cotton,  coffte,  imligoj 
Sec.  W  ynne's  British  Americc^ 

B 


10  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  earth  :  But  at  the  same  time  it  is  suggested  that 
.__  it  must  have  impeded  the  progress  of  the  cooling 
winds  and  the  free  circulation  of  air,  which  have 
since  received  freedom  and  activity.  It  is  not 
inconsistent  too  with  the  laws  of  our  atmosphere 
to  suppose  that  the  heat  is  qualified  by  new  cur- 
rents of  air  and  partial  changes  in  their  direction 
generated  by  itself.* 

THIS  curious  change  in  the  climate  of  Vir- 
gina   naturally  suggests  a  question  of  some  in- 
They  will    terest — What  would  be  the  probable  effects  of  a 
extend  still  general  cultivation  of  the  several  regions  of  the 
fuither        earth  on  the  climates  of  those  places  ?  Would  the 
westward.    prOgress  of  cultivation,  which  shall  every  where  be 
equal,  abate  the  rigour  of  a  torrid  zone  or  the  in- 
tense severity  of  polar  ice  ?  Would  it  increase  or 
diminish  the  advantages  of  temperate  climates  ?f 
THE  various  nations,  which  by  the  first  set- 


*  The  eastern  and  south  eastern  breezes  come  on  gene- 
rally in  the  afternoon.  They  have  advanced  into  the  country 
very  sensibly  within  the  memory  of  people  LOW  living. 
They  formeriy  did  not  penetrate  above  Williamsbnrg.  They 
are  now  frequent  at  Richmond  and  every  now  and  then  reach 
the  mountains.  They  deposit  most  of  their  moisture  before 
they  get  that  far,  as  the  land  become  more  cleared  it  is  pro* 
bab'e  they  will  extend  farther  westward. 

t  By  the  following  extract  it  appears  that  a  revolution  of 
this  kind  was  not  unknown  among  the  ancients.  «  Natural- 
ists affirm,  says  the  ingenious  author  of  Anacharsis,  speak- 
ing of  Larissa,  that  since  a  passage  has  been  formed  to  let 
oft'  the  stagnant  waters,  which  covered  the  environs  of  this 
town  in  many  places,  the  air  is  become  more  pure  and  cold- 
er. They  allege  two  reasons  in  support  of  this  opinion  ; 
olive  trees  were  formerly  very  nuroerons  and  flourishing  in 
this  district ;  at  present  they  are  unable  to  endure  the  seve- 
rity of  the  winters  :  The  vines  too  are  often  frozen,  which 
in  former  times  was  never  known  to  happen. 

rol<2.ji.  284— 5. 


VIRGINIA. 

tiers  were  found  dispersed  over  the  American 

continent,  in  the  unvaried  sameness  of  their  ap-  _ 

pearance  and  manners,  and  the  almost  infinite  The  same- 
variety  in  their  languages,  present  an  interesting  ness  of 
subject  of  speculation  to  the  philosopher  :  But  American 

inquiry  is  embarrassed  in  the  outset  by  a  con-   ,n  iani|J! 

,.  rp,,        ,  ,    *    |  j  .    .     dress,shapc 

tradiction  so  extraordinary.      I  he  old  world  is  in  ancj  com. 

vain  resorted  to  for  the  solution  of  this  phcenome-  piexion. 
non.  Although  divided  often  by  seas  and  almost 
inaccessible  mountains,  and  still  farther  re- 
moved from  each  other  by  the  restraints  of  poli- 
cy; their  several  languages  discover  numerous 
and  striking  affinities.  But  the  Indians  of  North 
America,  living  in  the  neighbourhood  of  ench 
other ;  divided  by  no  seas :  although  often  at 
peace  and  alliance,  and  not  unfrequcntly  meeting 
during  their  hunting,  have  almost  as  many  lan- 
guages as  there  are  tribes ;  and  the  affinities  be- 
tween their  languages  are  neither  striking  nor  nu- 
merous. 

THE  formation  of  language  is  a  process  which  The'almosi 
requires  time  and  labour.     Man  arbitrarily  gives  infinite  va- 
names  to  the  external  objects  which  meet  his  "ety  °f 
senses  :  But  there  is  yet  (although  not  always  no-  g^Lf" 
ticed  by  him)  a  connection   between  the  names 
he  assigns  them  and  the  most  obvious  properties 
of  the  objects  ;  and  this  is  more  frequently  the 
case  with  savages,  who,  overlooking  nice  and 
fanciful  refinements,  attend  only  to  what  is  clear 
and  expressive.     Is  it  then  credible  that  the  In- 
dians once  possessing  a  common  language,  af- 
ter branching  out  and  dividing  themselves  into 
colonies  for  the  greater  convenience  of  hunting 
and    fishing,   should  deliberately  abandon   their 
mother   tongue,  and  each  tribe  or  confederacy- 
frame  for  itself  a  new  language ;  and  this  too 
when  the  manners  and  customs  of  their  fathers 
in  other  respects  were  religiously  observed,  and 


12  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     the  sensible  objects  to  which  new  names  were 
*•          given  remained  the  same.     Yet  the  Americans, 
Indians        spite  of  this  contradiction,  had  certainly  a  corn- 
have  a  com-  mon  original.    Their  nations  are  too  numerous, 
xnon  ongU   ancj  thejf  manners  laws,  customs  and  appearance 
too  uniform  to  admit  a  different  conclusion. 

Mr,  JEFFERSON  reckons  up  no  less  than  forty 
nations,  which  at  the  first  settlement  of  this  state 
inhabited  the  country  from  the  sea  coast  to  the 
mountains;  and  from  the  Potomac  to  the  most 
southern  waters  oi  James  river.  But  what  are 
thtse  to  the  innumerable  swarms  scattered  over 
this  continent,  or  even  that  inconsiderable  por- 
tion of  it  uhich  constitutes  the  Ameiican  confe- 
deiacy.  These  are  all  alike  distinguished  by  their 
straight  black  hair ;  the  ir  erect  and  we  11  formed 
stature ;  their  grave  and  taciturn  deportment; 
their  war  whoop,  war  dances  and  war  feasts ;  their 
songs  when  preparing  for  battle  :  By  their  skill 
and  indefatigable  patience  in  tracing  and  sur- 
prizing an  enemy  ;  by  the  use  of  the  tomahawk, 
and  their  custom  of  scalping  the  dead  and  wound- 
ed :  But  above  all,  by  their  incredible  fortitude 
under  torture.  These  are  prools  too  decisive  of 
a  common  original  to  admit  a  doubt  on  this  head, 
and  against  them,  the  varieties  of  language  are 
but  dust  in  the  balance. 

WHENCE  then  can  have  arisen  this  variety  of 
language  ?  Is  it  the  work  of  time  ?  On  such  a 
supposition,  reasoning  from  circumstances  in 
Europe,  which  attach  more  forcibly  from  the  na- 
ture of  thtir  lives  to  the  Americans,  their  anti- 
quity rises  higher  than  even  the  Chinese  sera  of 
creation  ;  and  America  is  the  cradle  of  tiie  hu- 
man race. 

Mr.  Jeffer-       THIS  opinion  Mr.  Jefferson  appears  not  un- 
"  willinS  to  adul)t:  5  but  respected  as  must  be  the 
authority  of  a  man  who  has  bestowed  so  much 


VIRGINIA:  13 

aftenfion  on  this  subject,  and  who  has  contrived  CHAP. 
t(  il  imine  every  subject  of  which  he  treats  with 
the  mild  radiance  of  a  rational  philosophy,  this 
opinion  will  scarcely  keep  its  ground  against  the 
numerous  and  forcible  objections  to  which  it  is 
exposed ;  and  he  will  doubtless  feel  less  relucr 
tance  in  seeing  it  refuted,  when  he  reflects  how 
powerfully  such  a  conclusion  would  go  in  sup- 
port of  the  charges  of  Kaynal,  Robertson  and 
BufFon  of  an  original  def  ct  in  the  moral  and  phy- 
sical faculties  of  the  Indian. 

INNUMERABLE    tribes,   enjoying  a  luxuriant 
soil,  and  distributed  through   a  great  variety  of  Why  it 
climate,  preserving  their  barbarism  from  the  be-  should  not 
ginning  of  the  world ;  treading  on  mines  of  gold  be  adnut- 
and  iron,  without  having  made  a  single  improve-  te  " 
ment  in  the  useful  or  mechanic  arts,  would  but 
too  fatally  countenance  such  an  imputation    The 
native   American   would  be  the  most  degraded 
animal  of  the  human  race  ;  and  his  conquerors 
would  have  but  too  much  reason  to  lear  for  their 
children  and  posterity. 

THE  naturahst  who  shall  attempt  to  account 
for  the  moral  phoenomena  which  every  where  pre- 
sent themselves  in  this  region,  by  analogies 
drawn  from  civilization,  must  infallibly  be  disap- 
pointed. We  must  not  argue  from  cities  to  the 
wilderness;  from  the  philosopher  instructed  in 
the  knowledge  of  ages,  to  the  savage,  \vhose ex- 
perience is  bounded  by  the  forest  in  which  he  is 
impiisoned.  Arts  and  civilization  are  the  off- 
spring of  hard  necessity  ;  of  a  confined  ternton  ; 
ot  hunger  and  ot  thirst.  They  are  nursed  and 
brought  to  maturity  by  luxury  and  wealth.  It  the 
earth  spontaneously  and  regularly  produced  every 
thing  wanting  and  desirable  to  m  n,  hecloujtiess 
ivould  not  permit  his  animal  enjoyments  tube 
interrupted  by  labour.  What  then  were  the  in- 


14  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  ducements  to  labour  in  the  American,  for  whom 
.  the  earth  spontaneously  and  liberally  yielded  her 
productions.  Nature  made  him  free  and  equal 
with  his  fellow  :  His  rude  weapons  gave  him  so- 
vereignty in  the  forest:  rte  felt  none  of  the  tor- 
merits  arising  from  artificial  refinements:  His 
passions  were  the  impulses  of  nature,  and  were 
gratified  almost  as  soon  as  they  arose. 

THIS  was  certainly  the  life  of  the  first  inha- 
bitants of  the  earth  ;   and  it  is  nearly  the  life   of 
several  Arab  and  Tartar  tribes  to  this  day.   riow- 
ever  the  opinon  may  shock,  it  is  the  natural  state 
of  man ;   and  there  is  reason  to  believe,   that  to 
the  end  of  the  world   it  had  continued  to  be  the 
life  of  the  American,  unless  as  in  the  case  of  the 
Mexicans,    cunning    assisted    by    superstition 
should  cajole  him  into  government ;  or  their  po- 
pulation should  be  so  enormous  as  to  stimulate 
their  latent  energies  through  apprehensions  of 
want.  It  is  not  then  because  the  American  is  de- 
ficient in  sagacity  that  he  has  remained  so  long  in 
ignorance.     He  wanted  only  a  motive  and  occa- 
sion sufficiently  powerful  to  call  him  into  action. 
IT  is  but  equal  justice  to  acknowledge  at  the 
Cases  ap-     same  time,   that  as  far  as  experience  reaches,  the 
parently  in  facts  appear  at  first  view  to  favour  the  French 
4  support  of    philosophers  with  respect  to  the  Indians  at  least. 
onncKan°n  Notwithstanding  an  intercourse  of  two  centuries 
incapacity,  with  the  whites,  they  still  preserve  their  original 
rudenes  and  barbarism,  thus  appearing  as  it  were 
to  defy  the  effects  of  time  and  the  contagious  in- 
fluence of  example. 

FROM  a  number  of  instances  which  may  be 
cited,  the  following  are  selected,  because  one  of 
them  passed  under  the  immediate  observation  of 
the  American  people,  and  the  other  is  authenti- 
cated by  the  testimony  of  a  respectable  historian, 
who  was  himself  an  eye  witness  of  the  fact  he  re- 


VIRGINIA.  IS 

latcs.  He  prefaced  it  moreover,  by  observations    CHAP. 
which  shew  that  it  was  neither  singular  nor  un-          '      ...„ 
common. 

AT  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  the 
marquis  La  Fayette  took  with  him  to  France  the 
infant  son  of  Corn  Planter,  a  chief  of  one  of  the 
members  of  that  confederacy  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Six  Nations  ;  principally  with  a  view,  it 
is  imagine  d,  to  ascertain  the  capacity  of  this  race 
for  moral  improvement. 

THE  young  Corn  Planter  was  instructed  by 
the  best  masters,  and  as  he  advanced  in  years 
lived  in  what  is  called  the  best  company  at  Paris. 
Having  attained  the  age  of  manhood,  he  returned 
to  Arm  nca  with  a  beautiful  woman  he  had  mar- 
ried. His  dress  on  the  morning  of  his  arrival  be- 
spoke the  gay  and  thoughtless  Frenchman :  On 
the  evening  of  the  same  day  his  powder  and  silk 
stockings  vanished,  and  he  was  found  with  some 
Indians,  who  were  then  on  a  visit  to  the  govern- 
ment, brurall}'  drunk  and  wrapped  in  his  blanket. 

dE  had  indeed  contracted  some  habits  in  Eu- 
rope, which  he  found  it  not  so  easy  to  relinquish 
as  his  dress.  His  wife  as  they  travelled  onwards 
towards  his  tribe,  was  cruelly  abused  and  desert- 
ed by  him.  In  this  situation  she  was  found  by 
Aaron  Burr,  on  his  way  from  Canada  to  New 
York,  almost  naked  and  depending  for  her  sub- 
sistence on  berries  and  wild  fruits.  "  Nor  can 
we  say,"  says  Mr.  Charlevoix,*  "  that  this  is 
owing  to  their  not  being  acquainted  with  our 
modes  of  life.  Many  Frenchmen  have  tried  their 
way  of  life,  and  were  so  pleased  with  it,  that  se- 
veral of  them,  though  they  could  have  lived  very 
comfortably  in  the  colonies,  could  never  be  pre- 


16  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     vailed  on  to  return  to  it.    On  the  contrary,  there 

. never  was  so  much  as  a  single  Indian  that  could 

be  brought  to  relish  our  way  of  living.  Children, 
have  been  taken  and  have  been  brought  up  with 
a  great  deal  of  care.  Nothing  had  been  omitted 
to  hinder  them  from  having  any  knowledge  of 
their  parents :  Yet  the  moment  they  have  found 
themselves  at  liberty  they  have  torn  their  clothes 
to  pieces,  and  gone  across  the  woods  in  quest  of 
their  countrymen.  An  iroquois  was  even  a  lieu- 
tenant in  our  army  ;  }  et  he  returned  to  his  own 
nation,  carrying  with  him  only  our  vices  without 
correcting  any  of  those  which  he  brought  along 
with  him."* 

BUT  there  is  no  need  to  look  beyond  the  state 
of  Virginia  for  testimony.  Governor  Spotswoodf 


*  We  have  never  been  able  to  reconcile  any  of  them  to 
the  indulgences  oi'  our  way  of  life;  whereas  we  have  seen, 
some  Europeans  forego  all  the  conveniences  of  civil  life,  go 
into  the  forests,  and  take  up  the  bow  and  the  club  of  the  sa- 
vage. An  innate  spirit  of  benevolence,  however,  some- 
times brings  them  back  to  us. 

Raynal's  History  of  America. 

t  And  here  I  must  lament  the  bad  success  Mr.  Boyle's 
charity  has  hitherto  had,  towards  convicting  any  of  these 
poor  heathens  to  Christianity.  Many  children  of  our  neigh- 
bouring Indians  have  been  brought  up  in  the  college  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary.  They  have  been  taught  to  read  and  write, 
and  been  carefully  instructed  in  the  principles  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  till  they  came  to  the  age  of  manhood.  Yet, 
after  they  returned  home,  instead  of  civilizing?  and  convert- 
ing the  rest,  they  have  immediately  relapsed  into  barbarism 
and  infidelity  themselves.  And  some  of  them  too  have  made 
the  worst  use  of  the  knowledge  they  acquired  among  the 
English,  by  e.nployiiig  it  against  their  benefactorss;  be- 
sides, us  they  uniiappily  forget  all  the  good  they  learn,  and 
remember  the  ill,  ihey  are  apt  to  be  more  vicious  and  dis- 
orderly tiian  ttie  rest  of  their  countrymen.  I  ought  not  to 
quit  this  subject  wi  hout  doing  justice  to  the  great  prudence 
of  col.  byotswood  in  this  affair.  That  gentLman  was  licut. 


VIRGINIA.  17 

kept  in  pay  teachers  among  some  of  the  Virginia 
tribes,  and  had  several  children  belonging  to  the 
sachems  as  hostages,  who  were  carefully  instruct- 
ed in  civilization  and  humanity.  In  addition  to 


governor  of  Virginia  when  Carolina  was  engaged  in  a 
bloody  war  with  the  Indians  At  that  crhical  time  it  was 
thought  expedient  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  our  tributary 
savages,  who,  we  knew,  had  nothing  to  keep  them  to  their 
duty  but  their  fears. 

Then  it  was  that  he  demanded  of  each  nation  a  compe- 
tent number  of  their  great  men's  children  to  be  sent  to  the 
college,  where  they  served  as  so  many  hostages  for  the 
good  behaviour  ol  the  rest,  and  at  the  same  time  were 
themselves  principled  in  the  Christian  religion.  He  also 
placed  a  schoolmaster  among  the  Sapponi  Indians  at  the 
salary  of  fifty  pounds  per  annum,  to  instruct  their  children. 
The  person  that  undertook  that  charitable  work  was  Mr. 
Charles  (jiiffin,  a  man  of  good  family,  who  by  the  inno- 
cence ot  his  life  and  sweetness  of  his  temper,  was  perfectly 
well  qualified  for  that  undertaking.  Besides,  he  had  so 
much  the  secret  of  mixing  pleasure  with  instruction,  that 
he  did  not  have  a  scholar  but  loved  him  affectionately.  Such 
taltn.s  must  needs  have  been  blessed  with  proportional  suc- 
cess, had  he  not  been  unluckily  re  moved  to  the  college,  by 
•which  he  left  the  good  he  had  bt  gun  unfinished. 

In  short,  all  the  pains  he  had  taken  among  the  Indians, 
had  no  other  effect  than  to  make  them  something  cleanlier 
than  the  oiher  Indians. 

I  am  scrry  I  cannot  yive  a  better  account  of  the  state  of 
the  poor  Indians  with  regard  to  Christianity,  although  a 
great  deal  of  pains  has  been  taken  and  still  continues  to  be 
taken  with  them.  For  my  part,  I  must  be  of  opinion,  as  I 
hinted  before,  that  there  is  but  one  way  of  converting  these 
poor  infidels  and  reclaiming  them  fmm  bai  buri  y,  and  that  is, 
charitably  to  intermarry  with  them  according  to  the  modem 
policy  of  the  most  Christian  king  of  Canada  and  Louisiana. 
Had  the  English  done  this  at  the  first  settlement  of  the  co- 
lony, the  infidelity  of  the  Indians  had  been  worn  out  at  this 
day,  with  their  dark  complexions,  and  the  country  swarmed 
with  people  more  than  it  does  with  insects. 

It  was  certainly  an  unreasonable  nicety  that  prevented 
their  entering  into  so  good  natured  an  alliance.  All  na- 

c 


18 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP,    this  a  donation  was  given  by  Mr.  Boyle  of  En- 
*•         gland  for  the  instruction  of  the  Indians  and  their 
""  conversion  to  Christianity.*     Yet  not  in  a  single 
instance  were  these  efforts  successful. 

THE$E  must  certainly  be  allowed  to  be  fair  ex- 
periments ;   but  a  thousand  such  facts  should  not 
Why  in-      be  permitted  to  outweigh  principles  which  we  find 
conclusive,  every  where  uniform  in  nature.     To  suppose  the 
Indian  incapable,   by  reason  of  his  faculties,  of 
improvement,  must  presuppose  some  radical  de- 
fect in  his  organization,  which  would  class  him  in 
another  species.     But  perhaps  by  attentively  ex- 
amining the  cases  above  cited,   the  solution  of 
A  thorough  this  probiem  win  llot  be  found  so  difficult.    This 
IteTidiTn0  examination  \\ill  necessarily  embrace  every  thing 
character,    relating  to  the    laws,    customs  and  manners  of 
language     this  people,   a  subject  than  which  none  can  be 
and  descent  niore  curious  and  interesting. 

WHAT  a  field  is  here  presented  to  the  philo- 
sopher, if  instead  of  bewildering  himself  in  unna- 
tural speculations  concerning  the  growth  and 


tions  of  men  have  the  same  dignity,  and  we  all  know  that 
very  bright  talents  may  be  lodged  under  very  dark  skins. 

The  principle  difference  between  one  people  and  another, 
proceeds  only  from  the  d  ff  rent  opportunities  of  improve- 
ment. The  Indians  by  no  means  want  understanding,  and 
are  in  their  figure  tail  and  wtll  proportioned;  even  their 
copper  coloured  complexions  would  admit  of  blanching,  if 
not  at  the  first,  at  the  furthest,  in  the  second  generation. 

1  may  safely  venture  to  say  the  Indian  women  were  alto- 
gether as  honest  wives  for  the  first  planters  as  the  damsels 
they  purchased  from  aboard  the  ships. 

It  is  strange,  therefore,  that  any  good  Christian  should 
have  refused  a  wholesome  straight  bed  fellow,  when  he  might 
have  had  so  fair  a  portion  with  her,  as  the  merit  of  saving 
her  soul.  Col.  Win.  Byrd'a  Journal^  MS.  jicncs  me. 

*  This  was  called  the  professorship  of  Brafferton,  from 
an  estate  of  that  name  in  England,  purchased  with  the  do- 
nation. 


VIRGINIA.  1 

origin  of  society,  drawn  from  times  and  manners     CHAP, 
which  will  not  countenance   his  analogy,  he  as-         ry 
cends  to  the  cradle  of  man.    The  man  of  the  old 
world  is  a  coin  with  the  date  and  impression  worn 
out  by  time  and  use:   The  North   American  is 
fresh  from  the  mint,  or  if  it  be  thought  a  better 
comparison,  he  is  a  coin  which  has  been  locked 
up  from  circulation,  the  impression  on  which  is 
deep  and  legible. 

A  CORRECT  knowledge  of  this  people  would 
thro^v  light  on  the  history  of  man.  An  accurate 
investigation  of  this  continent  would  advance  the 
boundaries  of  human  knowledge.  This  is  the  do- 
main of  nature  :  Here  she  sports  wild  amid  her 
innumerable  productions.  Avarice  had  not  em- 
bo  welled  her  in  quest  of  gold ;  the  axe  hath  not 
denied  her  forests :  Kings  have  not  ravaged  her 
surface.  She  is  as  she  came  from  the  hands  of 
the  creator,  majestic  and  lovely. 

ALL  the  writers  who  have  treated  of  the  new 
"world,  have  specially  considered  this  subject ; 
and  although  it  may  appear  strange  that  in  an  in- 
quiry so  plain  and  accessible  to  fair  examination, 
any  variance  should  exist :  No  two  of  them  agree 
in  the  greater  number  of  particulars ;  and  not  one 
has  given  a  correct  and  natural  picture  of  the 
American  Indian. 

IT  may  appear  arrogance  to  pronounce  sen- 
tence thus  boldly  on  the  resptctable  historians 
of  the  new  world ;  more  especially,  as  the  cen- 
sure seems  to  imply  a  greater  correctness  or  can- 
dor in  myself.  Such  idle  vanity  will  not  be  im- 
puted to  me;  I  lay  claim  only  to  equal  imparti- 
ality and  industry  with  my  predecessors.  The 
opportunities  of  acquiring  information  on  this 
head  may  have  been  more  favourable  to  me.  The 
character  of  this  people  is  better  understood  since 
they  have  enjoyed  an  uninterrupted  and  friendly 


?0 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
I. 


Character 
of  Indian 
better 
known  than 
when  Dr. 
Robertson 
wrote. 


Dr.  Robert 
son's  anuly 
sis  of  Indi- 
an charac- 
ter and 
rnaners  ex 
amincd. 


intercourse  with  the  United  States.    Their  chiefs  ^ 
led  by  curiosity  or  business  frequently  visit  our 
cities,  and  many  of  our  citizens  have  travelled 
and  lived  amongst  them. 

IT  has  become  of  late  the  policy  of  our  go- 
vernment to  keep  agents  in  their  country,  and 
some  of  the  citizens  employed  in  this  service, 
with  a  zeal  and  prudence  highly  deserving  praise, 
have  laboured  to  acquire  a  correct  knowledge  ot 
their  character  and  langu  ige.  Without  this  in- 
formation indeed  they  had  found  it  impossible  to 
gain  or  preserve  that  ascendance  in  their  national 
councils,  which  enables  them  to  allay  the  fierce 
spirits  of  this  people.  That  reserve  which  is 
thought  peculiar  to  the  American  Indian  is  every 
day  slowly  giving  place  to  the  social  feelings,  to 
which  this  intercourse  has  given  birth  ;  and  sub- 
jects concerning  which  superstition  or  custom 
had  formerly  sealed  their  lips,  are  now  discussed 
without  scruple  or  apprehc  nsion.  The  advantages 
arising  from  this  state  ot  things,  I  owe  to  time ; 
it  would  be  absurd  for  chance  or  fortune  to  lay 
claim  to  the  re  wards  of  merit. 

To  follow  the  several  writers  who  have  handled 
.  this  subject,  would  be  at  once  uninteresting  and 
•  impracticable.     Mr.    Robertson,  in  his  valuable 
work,  the  history  of  America,  has  given  a  ra- 
pid but  at  the  same  time  perspicuous  analysis  of 
.  the  arguments  of  his  predecessors.     His  inquiry 
certainly  contains   much    ingenious   deduction, 
with  considerable  learning  and  research ;  and  I 
profess  myself  indebted  to  him  for  the  knowledge 
of  several  interesting  particulars,  which  derive 
new  force  from  his  manner  of  relating  them.  But 
he  has  been  compelled  to  take  most  of  his  in- 
formation  on  trust,  and  he  rests  with  too  much 
confidence  on  the  imposing  authority  of  Raynal 
and  Buffon,  and  the  suspicious  testimony  of  the 


VIRGINIA:  2 

Spanish  writers.  The  former  gentlemen,  to  whom  CFT  \P. 
literature  is  indebted  for  so  many  noble  senti-  *' 
ments ;  for  so  much  profound  and  elegant  infoi  ma- 
tion,  framed  a  theory  concerning  the  moral  and  phy- 
sical powers  of  the  Indian,  and  afterwards  went  in 
quest  of  facts  to  support  it.  With  every  disposi- 
tion to  arrive  at  the  truth,  they  were  contiually 
led  astray  by  their  desire  to  maintain  their  hypo- 
thesis. The  diviner  is  insensibly  interested  in  the 
fulfilment  of  his  prediction,  tor  the  rest,  Mr.  Ro- 
bertson is  almost  wholly  dependent  on  the  Spanish 
historians,  and  these  almost  with  the  exception  of 
the  intelligent  Ulloa  and  the  virtuous  and  intre- 
pid Le  Casa,  are  incompetent  by  reason  of  their 
prejudices  to  examine  the  merits  of  the  question. 
The  scope  of  their  inquiry  is  in  general  too  nar- 
row to  allow  a  correct  and  general  decision :  they 
are  either  the  apologists  of  Spanish  cruelties,  or 
they  drew  their  portraits  from  a  people  pining  in 
bondage,  and  whose  energies  were  broken  by 
despair.  It  will  not  be  thought  surprising  that 
Dr.  Robertson  was  compelled  to  sanction  an  hy- 
pothesis supported  by  the  weight  of  such  power- 
ful authority. 

IT  seems  not  improper  to  premise  in  this  place, 
that  all  objections  which  attach  equally  to  every 
people  in  the  savage  state  as  well  as  to  the  Indian, 
are  totally  inadmissible.  They  stt  out  to  prove 
a  peculiar  debility  in  the  physical  structure  and 
in  the  moral  faculties  of  the  Indian,  and  evidence 
.only  of  this  peculiarity  can  be  properly  received. 

THE  first  subject  of  iVtr.  Robertsons  inquiry,  is 
the  bodily  structure  and  external  appearance  of  Bodily 
the  Indian ;   "  they  were  not  only  averse  to  la- 
bour,"  says  he,  "  but  incapable  of  it;  and  when 
roused  by  force  from  their  native  indolence  and 
compelled  to  work,  they  sunk  under  tasks  which  Indian, 
the  people  of  the  other  continent  could  have  per- 


22  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     formed  with  ease."     Here  he  manifestly  alludes 

•___  *•         to  the  indolent  natives  of  Cuba  and  Hispaniola, 

"  and  the  Peruvians,  who,  before  the  arrival  of  the 

Spaniards,  were  unacquainted  with  every  species 

of  labour,  and  who  by  the  Hepartmientos  divided 

amongst  brutal  task  masters,  died  by  thousands 

of  broken  hearts. 

THE  admirable  symmetry  of  the  Indian  form  is 
primaface  evidence  of  an  organization  without  de- 
fect ;  and  the  inability  to  endure  fatigue,  if  i=  exist 
any  where  to  the  extent  alluded  to,  is  only  to  be 
ascribed  to  an  habitual  and  enervating  in Jol  nee  : 
Indeed,  Mr.  Robertson  concedes  this  point  where 
he  says,  "  whenever  the  Americans  have  been 
gradually  accustomed  to  hard  labour,  their  con- 
stitutions become  robust,  and  they  have  been 
found  capable  of  performing  such  tasks  as  seem- 
ed not  only  to  exceed  the  powers  of  such  a  frame 
as  has  been  deemed  peculiar  to  their  country,  but 
to  equal  any  effort  of  the  nations  of  Africa  or 
Europe." 

"  THE  beardless  countenance  and  smooth  skin 
His  beard-   of  the  American,"    continues  Mr.    Robertson, 
ksscounte-  "  seem  to  indicate  a  defect  of  vigour  occasioned 
.nance.         j^y  some   vice  m  his  frame."     Whether  beard 
is   essential   to   manhood,    is,  I   suspect,  mere 
matter  of  conjecture,  and  until  this  fact  shall  be 
placed  beyond  doubts  by  experiment,  it  is  con- 
ceived unnecessary  to  argue  this  charge.    Fortu- 
nately it  has  an  easier  refutation  ;  the  fact  is  not 
so ;   u  at  the  age  of  puberty  the  crinose  efflores- 
cence which  is  deemed  essential  to  manhood  dis- 
covers itself  on  the  body  of  the  Indian  as  well  as 
other  men  :*  But  with  them  it  is  disgraceful  to 
be  hairy  on  the  body ;  they  say  it  likens  them  to 


*  Carver. 


VIRGINIA.  23 

hogs :  They  therefore  pluck  the  hair  as  fast  as  it     CHAP, 
appears.     But  the  traders,  who  marry  their  wo-          " 
men,  and  prevail  on  them  to  discontinue  this . 
practice,  say  that  nature  is  the  same  with  them 
as  with  the  whites.*     "  They  pull  their  beards 
up,"  says  Mr.   Beverley,  ;'  by  the  roots  with 
muscle  shells,  and  both  men  and  women  do  the 
same  by  the  other  parts  of  their  body  for  cleanli- 
ness sake." 

THE  substance  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  information 
is  attested  b\  Charlevoix  and  several  other  wri- 
ters. As  the  fact  was  considered  on  all  sides  in- 
teresting, I  have  been  at  some  pains  of  ascertain- 
ing how  it  stands  without  regard  to  those  antipa- 
thies and  partialities,  which  prevent  a  fair  decision. 
The  result  of  my  observations,  derived  from  ci- 
tizeiis  who  have  lived  among  the  Indians,  and  from 
several  other  sources  equally  respectable,  esta- 
blish beyond  ail  question  the  fact  in  favour  of  this 
opinion. 

THE  smallnessof  their  appetite  and  their  insen-  Their  in- 
sibilityf  to  the  charms  of  beauty  are  next  urged  sensibility 
in  proof  of  some  feebleness  in  the  framef  of  the  ^r^s  Of 
American  Indian  :  But  those  points  are  likewise 


*  Notes  on  Virginia,  p.  140. 

t  Canada,  therefore,  is  not  a  desert  from  natural  defects,- 
but  the  track  of  life  which  its  inhabitants  pursue.  Though 
they  are  as  fit  for  procreation  as  cur  northern  people,  all 
their  strength  is  -mployed  for  their  own  preservation.  Hun- 
ger does  not  allow  them  to  attend  to  the  softer  passions.  If 
the  people  of  the  south  sacrifice  every  thing  to  this  desire, 
it  is  because  the  first  is  easily  satisfied.  In  a  country  where 
nature  is  very  prolific,  and  man  consumes  but  little,  the 
overplus  of  his  strength  is  turned  wholly  to  population,, 
which  is  likewise  assisted  by  the  warmth  of  the  climate. 
Raynafs  History  cf  America*  page  27. 

,j  fide  Rob.  Am*  vol.  1,  /;.  $$  ond  96L 


24  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.     gVen  up  by  Mr.  Robertson  after  a  shew  of  re- 
.  sjstance.  Their  ignorance  of  abstract  ideas;  their 

b<ri>in>  and   limited  acquaintance  with   the  arts  ;  their  indo- 
the  lower    lence  and  aversion  to   labour,  are  peculiarities 
of  love*        growing  rather  out  of  their  moral  condition  than 
their  physical  structure.     It  is  also  objected  to 
the  Indian,  that  he  is  a  cold  and  tyrannical  hus- 
band, an  unnatural  son,  a  father  without  sensibi- 
lity or  affection;  that  he  is  selfish,   treacherous 
and  cowardly.     I  cannot  omit  introducing  the 
compendious  answer  of  Mr.  Jefferson  to  these 
unnatural  speculations. 

4v  MON  s.  BUFFO N  has  indeed  given  an  affecting 
picture  of  human  nature  in  his  description  of  the 
man  of  America.  But  sure  1  am  there  never  was 
a  picture  more  unlike  the  original.  He  grants 
indeed  that  his  stature  is  the  same  as  that  of  the 
man  of  Europe.  He  might  have  admitted  that 
the  Jroquois  were  larger,  and  the  Lenopi  or  De- 
lawart- s  taller  than  the  people  of  Europe  gene- 
rally are.  But  he  says  their  organs  of  generation 
are  smaller  and  weaker  than  those  of  the  Europe- 
ans. Is  this  a  fact  ?  1  believe  not,  at  least  it  is 
an  observation  I  never  heard  of  before.  They 
have  no  beard.  Had  he  known  the  pains  and 
trouble  it  cost  the  men  to  pluck  out  by  the  roots 
the  hair  that  grows  on  their  faces,  he  would  have 
seen  that  nature  had  not  been  deficient  in  that  re- 
spect. Every  nation  has  its  customs.  1  have 
seen  an  Indian  beau  with  a  looking  glass  in  his 
hand,  examining  his  face  for  hours  together,  and 
plucking  out  by  the  roots  every  hair  he  could  dis- 
cover with  a  kind  of  tweezers  made  of  a  peice  of 
fine  brass  wire  that  had  been  twisted  round  a 
stick,  and  which  he  used  with  great  dexterity. 
They  have  no  aidour  for  their  females.  It  is  true 
they  do  not  indulge  those  excesses  nor  discover 
that  fondness  which  is  customary  in  Europe;  but 


VIRGINIA.  25 

this  is  not  owing  to  a  defect  in  nature  but  in  man-  CHAP, 
rers.  Their  soul  is  wholly  bent  upon  war;  this 
is  what  procures  them  glory  among  the  men  and 
makes  them  the  admiration  of  the  women.  To 
this  they  are  educated  from  their  earliest  youth. 
\Yhen  they  pursue  the  game  with  ardour;  when 
the}  bear  the  fatigues  of  the  chase ;  when  they 
sustain  and  suffer  patiently  hunger  and  cold,  it  is 
not  so  much  for  the  sake  of  the  game  they  pur- 
sue, as  to  convince  their  parents  and  the  council 
of  the  nation  that  they  are  fit  to  be  enrolled  in  the 
number  of  warriors.  The  songs  of  the  women ; 
the  dance  of  the  warriors ;  the  sage  council  of 
the  chiefs ;  the  tales  of  the  old ;  the  triumphal 
entry  of  the  warriors  returning  with  success 
from  battle,  and  the  respect  paid  to  those  who 
distinguish  themselves  in  war  and  in  subduing 
their  enemies ;  in  short,  every  thing  they  see  or 
hear  tends  to  inspire  them  with  an  ardent  desire 
for  military  fame.  If  a  young  man  were  to  dis- 
cover a  fondness  for  women  before  he'  had  been 
to  war,  he  would  become  the  contempt  of  the 
men  and  the  scorn  and  rebuke  of  the  women; 
or  were  he  to  indulge  himself  with  a  captive  taken 
in  war,  and  much  more  were  he  to  offer  violence 
in  order  to  gratify  his  lust,  he  would  incur  inde- 
lible disgrace.  The  seeming  frigidity  of  the  men, 
therefore,  is  the  effect  of  manners  and  not  of  na- 
ture. Besides,  a  celebrated  warrior  is  oftener 
courted  by  the  females,  so  that  he  has  no  occasion 
to  court,  and  this  is  a  point  of  honour  which  the 
men  aim  at.  Instances  similar  to  that  of  Ruth 
and  Boaz*  are  not  uncommon  among  them.  For 


*  When  Boaz  had  eaten  and  drank,  and  his  heart  was 
merry,  he  went  to  lie  down  at  the  heap  of  corn,  and  Ruth 
came  softly  and  uncovered  his  feet  and  laid  her  down. 

D  Ruth,  3.  7. 


26  HISTORY  OF 

though  the  wometi  are  modest  and  diffident,  and 
so  bashful  that  they  can  seldom  lift  up  their  eyes 
and  scarce  ever  look  a  man  full  in  the  face,  yet 
being  brought  up  in  great  subjection,  custom  and 
manners  reconcile  them  to  a  mode  of  acting, 
which  judged  of  by  Europeans,  would  be  deem- 
ed  inconsistent  with  the  rules  of  female  decorum 
and  propriety.  I  once  saw  a  young  widow  whose 
husband  had  died  about  eight  days  before,  hast- 
ing  to  finish  her  grief,  and  who  by  tearing  her 
hair,  beating  her  breast  and  drinking  spirits,  made 
the  tears  flow  in  greatest  abundance,  in  order 
that  she  might  grieve  much  in  a  short  space  of 
time,  and  be  married  that  evening  to  another 
warrior.  The  manner  in  which  this  was  viewed  by 
the  men  and  women  of  the  tribe  who  stood  round 
silent  and  solemn  spectators  of  the  scene,  and  the 
indifference  with  which  they  answered  my  ques- 
tions respecting  it,  convinced  me  that  it  was  no 
unusual  custom.  I  have  known  men  advanced 
in  years,  whose  wives  were  old  and  past  child 
bearing,  take  young  wives  and  get  children, 
though  the  practice  of  polygamy  is  not  common* 
Does  this  savour  of  frigidity  or  want  of  ardour 
for  the  female  ?  Neither  do  they  seem  to  be  defi- 
cient in  natural  affection.  1  have  seen  both  fa- 
thers and  mothers  in  the  deepest  affliction  when 
their  children  have  been  dangerously  ill,  though 
I  believe  the  affection  is  stronger  in  the  descend- 
ing than  the  ascending  scale,  and  though  custom 
forbids  a  father  to  grieve  immoderately  for  a  son 
slain  in  battle.  That  they  are  'timorous  and  cow- 
ardly,' is  a  character  with  which  there  is  little 
reason  to  charge  them,  when  we  recollect  the 

manner  in  which  the  Iroquois  met  Mons. , 

who  marched  into  their  country,  in  which  the 
old  men  who  scorned  to  fly  or  survive  the  capture 
of  their  town,  braved  death  like  the  old  Romans 


VIRGINIA;  2 

in  the  time  of  the  Gauls,  and  in  which  they  soon     CHAP, 
after  revenged  themselves   by  the  sacking  and 
burning  of  Montreal. 

"  BUT  above  all  the  unshaken  fortitude  with 
which  they  bear  the  most  excruciating  tortures 
and  death  when  taken  prisoners,  ought  to  ex- 
empt them  from  that  character :  Much  less  are 
they  to  be  charactized  as  a  people  of  no  vivacity, 
and  excited  to  war  or  motion  only  by  the  call  of 
hunger  and  thirst.  Their  dances,  in  which  they 
so  much  delight,  and  which  to  an  European 
would  be  the  severest  exercise,  fully  contradict 
this,  not  to  mention  the  long  marches  and  the 
toils  they  cheerfully  and  voluntarily  undergo  in 
their  military  expeditions.  It  is  true  that  when 
at  home  they  do  not  employ  themselves  in  labour 
or  the  culture  of  the  soil,  but  this  again  is  the 
effect  of  custom  and  manners  which  has  assigned 
that  TO  the  province  of  the  women.  Rut  it  is  said 
they  are  averse  to  society  and  a  social  life..  Can  any 
thing  be  more  inapplicable  than  this  to  a  people 
who  always  live  in  towns  or  clans  ?  or  can  they 
be  said  to  have  no  republic,  who  conduct  ail  their 
affairs  in  national  council ;,  who  pride  themselves 
on  their  national  character  ^  who  consider  an  in* 
suit  or  injury  done  to  one  individual  by  a  stran- 
ger as  done  to  the  whole,  and  resent  it  accord- 
ingly ?  In  short,  this  picture  is  not  applicable  to 
any  nation  of  Indians  I  have  ever  known  or  heard 
of  in  North  America.  The  Indian  of  North 
America  being  more  within  our  reach,  I  can 
speak  of  them  some  what  from  my  own  know^ 
ledge,  but  more  from  the  information  of  others 
better  acquainted  with  him,  and  on  whose  truth 
and  judgment  I  can  rely.  From  these  sources  I 
am  able  to  say,  in  contradiction  to  the  represent- 
ation, that  he'is  neither  more  defective  in  ardour, 
or  more  impotent  with  his  female  than  the  white 


28  HISTORY  OF 

reduced  to  the  same  diet  and  exercise.  That  he 
is  brave  when  an  enter  prize  depends  on  bravery ;  v 
education  with  him  making  the  point  of  honour 
consist  in  the  destruction  of  his  enemy  by  stra- 
tagem and  the  preservation  of  his  own  person 
free  from  injury ;  or  perhaps  this  is  nature,  while 
it  is  education  teaches  us  to  honour  force  more 
than  finesse ;  that  he  will  defend  himself  against 
an  host  of  enemies,  always  choosing  rather  to 
be  killed  than  surrender,  though  it  be  to  the 
whites f  who  he  knows  will  treat  him  well ; 
that  in  other  situations  also  he  meets  death  with 
more  deliberation,  and  endures  tortures  with  a 
fin »  ness  unknown  almost  to  religious  enthusiasm 
with  us. 

''THAT  he  is  affectionate  to  his  children,  care- 
ful of  them  and  indulgent  in  the  extreme ;  that 
his  affections  comprehend  his  other  connections, 
weakening  as  with  us  from  circle  to  circle  as  they 
recede  from  the  centre ;  that  his  friendships  are 
strong  and  faithful  to  the  uttermost  extremity ; 
that  his  sensibility  is  keen,  even  the  warriors 
weeping  most  bitterly  on  the  loss  of  their  chil- 
dren,- though  in  general  they  endeavour  to  appear 
superior  to  human  events ;  that  his  vivacity  and 
activity  of  mind  is  equal  to  ours  in  the  same  situ- 
ation :    Hence  his  eagerness  for  hunting  and  his 
fondness  for  games  of  chance.     The  women  are 
submitted  to  unjust  drudgery.     This  I  believe 
is  the  case  with  every  barbarous  people ;  with 
such  force  is  law.     The  stronger  sex,  therefore, 
impose  on  the  weaker.     It  is  civilization  alone 
which  replaces  women  in  the  enjoyment  of  their 
natural  equality.     That  first  teaches  us  to  sub- 
due the  selfish  passions,  and   to  respect  those 
rights  in  others  which  we  value  in  ourselves. 
Were  we  in  equal  barbarism,  our  females  would 
ifc  equal  drudgery.     The  man  with  them  is 


VIRGINIA;  39 

less  strong  than  with  us,  but  their  women  stronger  CH  \P. 
than  GUIS,  and  both  from  the  same  obvious  rea» 
sonb  :  Because  our  men  and  their  women  are  ha- 
bituated to  labour  and  formed  by  it.  With  both 
n  ces  the  sex  which  is  most  indulged  with  ease  is 
least  athletic.  An  Indian  man  is  small  in  the 
hand  and  wrist  for  the  same  reason  for  which  a 
sailor  is  large  and  strong  in  the  arms  and  should- 
ers, and  a  porter  in  the  legs  and  thighs.  They 
raise  fewer- children  than  we  do:  The  causes  of 
this  are  to  be  found  not  in  any  difference  of  na- 
ture, but  of  circumstances.  The  women  very  fre- 
quently attend!  ;g  the  men  in  their  parties  of  war 
and  hunting,  ch;ld  bearing  becomes  extremely 
inconvenient  to  them.  It  is  said,  therefore,  that 
they  have  procured  abortions  by  the  use  of  some 
vegetable,  and  that  it  even  extends  to  prevent 
conception  for  a  considerable  time  after.  Dunng 
these  parties  they  are  exposed  to  numerous  hard- 
ships, to  excessive  exertions  and  to  the  greatest 
extremities  of  hunger.  Even  at  home  the  nation 
depends  for  food  through  a  certain  part  of  the 
year  on  the  gleanings  of  the  forests,  that  is  to 
say,  they  experience  a  famine  once  in  every  year. 
With  all  animals,  if  the  females  be  badly  fed  or 
not  fed  at  all,  the  young  perish ,  and  if  both  male 
and  female  be  reduced  to  like  want,  generation  be- 
comes less  active,  less  productive.  To  the  ob- 
stacles then  of  want  and  hazard  which  nature  has 
opposed  to  the  multiplication  of  wild  animals  for 
the  purpose  of  restraining  their  number  within 
certain  bounds,  those  of  labour  and  voluntary 
abortion  are  added  with  the  Indian.  No  wonder 
then  if  they  multiply  less  than  we  do.  Where 
food  is  regularly  supplied,  a  small  farm  will  show 
more  of  cattle  than  a  whole  country  can  of  buf- 
faloes. The  same  Indian  women,  when  married 
to  white  traders  who  feed  them  and  their  children 


30 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP,  plentifully  and  regularly,  who  exempt  them  from 
excessive  drudgery,  who  keep  them  stariqnuiy 
and  not  exposed  to  accident,  produce  and  raise 
as  many  children  as  white  women.  Instances  are 
known  under  these  circumstance  s  of  dieir  raising 
a  dozen  children.  An  inhuman  practice  once 
prevailed  in  this  country  of  making  slaves  ot  the 
Indians.)  It  is  a  fact  well  known  with  us,  that  the 
Indian  women  so  enslaved  produced  and  raised  as 
numerous  families  as  either  the  whites  or  blacks 
among  whom  they  lived.'* 

IT  is  a  singular  fact  that  almost  all  these  de- 
The  same  fects  and  vices  were  formerly  objected  to  the 
Spartans  by  their  enemies.  They  were  alter- 
nately ferocious,*  selfish  or  cowardly  ;f  insensi- 
ble to  the  charms  of  beauty  ;  fond  of  destt  o}  ing 
their  neighbours ;  dullj  and  inactive  in  times  of 
peace;  full||  of  perfidy  and  dissimulation  in  their 
dealings  and  treaties ;  delighting^  in  war  as  af- 
fording them  an  intermission  of  labour;  unsoci- 
able** in  their  private  intercourse ;  austereft  an$ 
often  inhuman  in  their  treatment  to  their  chil- 
dren ;  ungallantfj  and  barbarous  in  their  man- 


vices  had 


Spartans. 


*  Plato  de  leg.  l.t.l.fi.  630;  lib.  4.  705,. 
t  Pericles  afi  Thucyd.  lib.  2.  cap.  37. 
\  Herodotus  lib.  1.  cafi.  66, 

|j  Eurifi.  in  Andrvm.  r.  446.  jirisiojihanes  inpace^  v. 
et  1067;  in  Lycisf.  v.  630. 

Tf  Passim  in  historia. 

**  Pcricl.  aii  Thucyd.  lib.  2.  cafi.  37. 

ft  Ibid. 

JJ  Platodeleg.  lib.  7.t.  ll.fi.  806. 


VIRGINIA.  $ 

ners ;  enemies*  to  the  arts  of  elegance  and  re-  CHAP, 
finement,  and  like  the  beasts  of  the  field,  station- 
ary  in  their  understanding,  f  Yet  this  little  com- 
munity of  savages  have  astonished  the  world  by 
their  achievements,  and  have  bequeathed  to  pos- 
terity the  most  sublime  examples  of  patriotism 
and  glory.  The  Indians,  like  the  Spartans, 
might  reply  to  their  enemies  by  the  remark  of  the 
lion,  who,  when  he  was  shewn  the  figure  of  an 
animal  of  his  own  species  at  the  feet  of  a  man, 
contented  himself  with  observing  that  lions  were 
not  sculptors.  "J 

AN  ordinary  observer,  who  is  acquainted 
with  their  history,  cannot  avoid  being  struck 
with  the  close  resemblance  between  the  customs 
and  manners  of  the  two  people.  The  fact  is  men- 
tioned not  with  any  view  of  building  any  theo- 
ries of  a  common  original  on  this  coincidence. 
Such  an  idea  would  be  indeed  preposterous. 

BUT  it  may  serve  to  abate  the  prejudices  which 
several  ing.-nious  men  have  circulated  against 
the  Indians,  by  shewing  that  in  the  great  leading 
points  of  their  character  they  are  almost  identi- 
fied with  a  people,  who  lived  in  the  midst  of  po- 
lished communities,  unaffected  by  their  arts  or  re- 
finements ;  preserving  for.  ages  their  primitive 
manners,  notwithstanding  the  wide  and  intimate 
intercourse  which  they  held  with  all  the  Grecian 
cities  and  the  dominions  of  Persia. 

IF  the  Spartans,  surrounded  by  innumerable 
temptatations  and^  inducements  and  always  pos- 


*  Plato  de  leg.  lib.  7.t.  ll.fi.  806. 

t  Plutar.  Jfioth.in  Lycurg.  t.  l.fi.  52.     Ide.m  Jfi&th. 
cont.t.  11. /i.  217. 

is,  fi.  50,  •vol.  S. 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP,  sessing-  the  power  and  means  to  alter  their  condi- 
tion, held  firmly  notwithstanding,  to  the  maxims 
and  manners  of  their  fathers,  the  main  objection, 
to  the  capacity  of  the  Indian  for  improvement  va- 
nishes ;  all  the  arguments  applying  with  ten  fold 
force  in  favour  of  a  people  for  an  infinite  number 
of  ages,  separated  from  the  world,  and  who  in  the 
short  glimpse  they  had  of  the  arts  and  civilization 
of  Europe,  witnessed  only  the  most  enormous 
vices. 

IF  in  viewing  this  subject,  owing  to  the  frailty 
of  human  judgment,  I  should  be  thought  to 
be  led  astray  by  a  rage  for  hypothesis,  I  can 
at  least  promise  that  my  mode  of  treating  it 
shall  be  fair  and  impartial.  The  authorities  on 
which  this  coincidence  of  manners  is  imagined  to 
be  found,  shall  be  accurately  quoted  and  the  reader 
may  decide  for  himself  if  it  be  actual  or  merely 
imaginary. 

THE  first  point  of  resemblance  between  the 
Indians  and  Spartans,  is  their  respect  for  old  age; 
their  profound  respect  and  deference  for  the  per- 
sons and  opinion  of  the  elders  of  their  nations. 
To  this  sentiment  amongst  both  there  is  neither 
exception,  or  qualification  :  The  war  chief  loaded 
with  scalps  and  the  commanders  of  phalanxes 
being  alike  under  its  controul. 

*'  EVERY  nation,"  says  Carver,  speaking  of  the 
Indians,  "  pays  great  respect  to  old  age.  The  ad- 
vice of  a  father  will  seldom  meet  with  any  extra- 
ordinary attention  from  the  young  Indians  :  Pro- 
bably they  receive  it  with  a  bare  assent :  But  they 
will  tremble  before  a  grandfather  imd  submit  to 
his  injunction  with  the  utmost  alacrity:  The 
words  of  the  ancient  part  of  their  community  are 
esteemed  by  the  young  men  as  oracles.  If  they 
take  in  their  hunting  parties  any  game  that  is 
reckoned  by  them  uncommonly  delicious,  it  is 


Their're- 
spect  for 
old  age. 


VIRGINIA.  33 

immediately  presented  DV  them  to  the  eldest  of  CHAP. 
their  relations.  Nothing,  says  Charlevoix,  can  ex- 
ceed the  respect  of  the  young  |>eople  to  the  aged. 
"  Old  age,"  sa\  s  the  elegant  author  of  Anacharsis, 
"  in  o^hcr  countries  devoted  to  contempt,  raises  a 
Spartan  to  the  summit  of  honour.*  The  other  citi- 
zens and  especially  the  youth,  pay  them  all  the  re- 
spect, \\hich  they  will  in  their  turn  require  to  be 
paid  to  themselves.  The  law  obliges  them  to  give 
way  to  the  aged  man  wherever  they  meet  him,  to 
rise  to  him  whenever  he  enters  where  they  are, 
and  to  keep  silence  when  he  speaks.  He  is 
heard  with  deference  in  the  assemblies  of  the 
people  and  in  the  halls  of  the  gymnasium. " 

To  multiply  further  the  pr«x>fs  of  their  corres- 
pondence in  this  p  ;int  would  be  ouh  a  waste  of 
time.  It  is  sufficient  that  it  is  established  by  the 
admis-ion  ot  the  satiiisisof  those  people 

THE  stoical  indiftlrer.ee;  the  apparent  extin-  Thtirstoi- 
guishment  of  all  natural  affection  hi  the  passion  c»!  u  differ* 
of  patriotism,  is  alike  observable  in  the  Indian 
and  Spartan.  "  \our  son  is  killed  \\-ithoutquit- 
ting  his  ranks,"  said  some  person  to  a  Spartan 
mother.  "  Let  him  he  buried,"  was  her  an- 
swer, "  and  let  his  brother  take  his  place."  Ano- 
ther was  told  her  five  sons  were  slain.  "  I  do 
not  come,"  said  she,  "  to  inquire  of  them,  but 
\vhether  my  country  has  any  thing  to  fcar."|  If 
you  inform  an  Indian  that  his  children  ;<re  killed 
or  taken  prisoners,  he  makes  no  compiling  he 
only  replies,  It  docs  not  signify. {  Their  con- 


•  Phit  Instil.  Lacon.  Ml./r   237. 
•\  Pint,  jf/iofihth.  Lactn.  t.  \  1.  fl    542. 

J  Has  an   Indian  been  en?rau;er1   for   several    rlays  in  the 
r.hace,  or  any  other  laborious  expedition,  and  by  accident 


34  HISTORY  OF 


tempt  of  death  and  their  constancy*  in  support, 
ine  torture  is  equally  striking  in  both.  4l  Tears  nor 


CHAP. 

*•  ing  torture  is  equally  striking 

Their  con-  sighV  says  Anacharsis,  *'  do  not  accompany  the 

tempt  of  last  moments  of  the  d)  ing ;  for  the  Spartans  are 

death  and  no  more  astonished  at  the  approach  of  death  than 

constancy  they  were  at  the  continuance  of  life."     "  An  In- 

WS£***>"  -T?  Ca'7<Y'  meets  death  when  it  up- 
preaches  him  in  his  hut,  with  the  s  ime  resolution 
he  has  often  laced  him  in  the  field.  His  inclif- 
ferr nee  relative  to  this  important  article,  which  is 
the  source  of  so  man)  apprehensions  to  ahnust 
every  other  nation,  is  truly  admirable.  He  takes 
have  of  his  friends  and  issues  out  orders  for  the 
preparation  of  a  least."  Hie  Spartans  too  had 


continued  thus  long  without  food,  when  he  arrives  at  the  hut 
orient  of  a  friend  where  he  knows  his  wants  may  be  imme- 
diately supplied,  lie  takes  care  not  to  show  the  least  symp- 
tom of  impatience,  or  to  betray  the  extreme  hunger  by 
which  he  is  tortured :  Bui  on  being  invited  in,  sits  content- 
edly down,  and  smokes  Ins  pipe  with  as  much  composure  as 
if  even  appetite  was  allayed,  and  he  was  perfectly  at  ease  ; 
he  does  the  same  if  among  strangers. 

This  custom  is  strictly  adhered  to  by  every  tribe,  as  they 
esteem  it  a  proof  of  fortitude,  an<l  think  the  reverse  would 
entitle  them  to  the  appellation  of  old  women. 

Carver's  Travels,  /iage  138. 

*  Their  constancy  in  suffering  pain  is  beyond  all  expiession. 
A  young  wcmi.n  shall  he  a  whole  day  in  labour  without  mak- 
ing one  cry  :  if  she  shewed  the  least  weakness,  they  would 
esteem  her  unworthy  to  be  a  mother;  because,  as  they  say, 
she  could  only  breed  cowards.  Nothing  is  more  common 
than  to  see  persons  of  all  ages  and  of  both  sexes,  sufllr  for 
many  hours,  and  sometimes  many  days  together,  the 
sharpest  effects  of  fire,  and  all  that  the  most  industrious  fury 
can  invent  to  make  it  most  painful,  Without  letting  a  sigh 
escape.  They  are  employed  for  the  most  part,  during  their 
buffering,  in  encouraging  their  tormentors  by  the  most  in- 
sulting reproaches. 

Carver'*  History  of  America^  fiage  64. 


VIRGINIA. 


the  custom  of  celebrating  a  funeral  supper.  The 
funeral  rites  of  Leonidab  and  his  devoted  band 
were  celebrated  by  their  relations  previous  to  their 
departure  from  Sparta ;  and  such  did  Leonidas 
himself  celebrate  in  the  Streights  of  Thermopylae 
the  night  before  the  battle. 

"  1  HAVE  seen  other  combats,"  says  the  author 
of  Anacharsis  speaking  of  the  Spartan  constancy, 
"  in  which  the  greatest  fortitude  contends  with  the 
most  extreme  suffering.  At  a  festival  celebrated 
everj  year  in  honour  of  Diana,  surnamed  Or- 
thia,  }  outhful  Spartans  scarcely  out  of  their  in- 
fancy, and  chosen  from  all  the  different  classes 
of  the  people,  are  brought  to  the  altar  and  se- 
verely whipt  till  the  blood  begins  to  stream.  The 
pt  iestess  of  the  goddess  holds  in  her  hands  a  small 
and  light  wooden  image  of  Diana.  If  the  exe- 
cutioners appeared  moved  with  compassion,  the 
priestess  exclaims  that  she  is  no  longer  able  to 
b  ar  the  weight  of  the  sUitue.  The  strokes  re- 
double,  and  the  attention  of  all  present  becomes 
more  eager.  The  parents  of  the  innocent  vic- 
tims exhort  them  with  frantic  cries  not  to  suffer 
the  smallest  complaint  to  escape  them,  while 
they  themselves  provoke  and  defy  pain.  The  pre- 
sence of  so  many  witnesses,  who  watch  their 
smallest  motions,  and  the  hope  of  victory  to  be 
decreed,  him  who  shall  suffer  with  the  greatest 
constancy,  so  steel  them  against  their  pangs,  that 
they  endure  these  horrid  tortures  with  a  serene 
countenance  and  joy,  at  which  humanity  shudders." 
The  constancy  of  the  Indians  under  torture  is 
still  more  incredible.  No  historical  fact,  howe- 
ver, is  better  authenticated.  Even  their  enemies 
admit  that  nothing  in  the  stoa  or  gymnasium  can 
compete  with  the  unconquerable  obstinacy  of  Ln- 
dian  endurance. 

THEIR  taciturnity;  their  reserve,  deliberation, 


36  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  and  the  character  of  their  eloquence,  are  equally 
l-  remarkable.  tk  Accustomed  as  they  are  from 
Their  tac  "  Tne*r  earnest  vears  to  express  themselves  with 
turn:ty,  re-  equal  energy  and  precision,  they  are  silent  when 
seivt  and  they  have  nothing  to  say,  and  apologize  if  they 
delibera-  have  said  too  much.*  Theephori  (raring  that  the 
tion.  garrison  of  Dccelia  should  suffer  themselves  to 

be  surprised,  or  not  intermit  their  accustomed 
exercises,  wrote  to  them  only  these  words,  " Do 
not  watt,  "f  If  an  Ind'un  has  discovered  that  a 
friend  is  in  danger  of  being  intercepted,  and  cut 
oft'  by  one  to  whom  he  has  rendered  himself  ob- 
noxious, he  does  not  inform  him  in  plain  and  ex- 
plicit terms  of  the  danger  he  runs  in  pursuing 
the  track  near  which  such  enemy  lies.  He  first 
coolly  asks  him  which  way  he  is  going  that  day, 
anel  having  received  his  answer  with  the  same  indif- 
ference, <l  tells  him  that  he  has  been  informed, 
*  that  a  dog  tics  near  the  spot  "J  "  Indians  are 
exuemtly  circumspect  and  deliberate  h  every 
word  and  action." u  They,  (the  Spartans)  says 
Anacharsis,  despise  the  art  but  they  esteem  the 
genius  cf  eloquence.  This  some  of  them  have 
rt  coved  from  nature  and  have  displa}ed  in  their 
own  assemblies,  as  also  in  the  funeral  orations, 
which  are  pronounced  every  year  in  honour  of 
Pi'iibiinias  arcl  Leonidas.  The  eloquence  of  the 
Indians,  although  occasionally  enlivened  and  al- 
ways illustrated  by  figures  and  emblems,  like  the 
Spartan,  comes  directly  to  the  point,  and  is  re- 
markable for  the  force  and  justness  of  the  lan- 

•  Plutarc.  in  Lycurg.  /.I.//    52.     Thvcyd.  lib*  4.  caji.  IT. 
f  AnucharsiS)  ivho  quotes  Elcan.  Far.  /fa;,  lib.  2.  ca/i.  5. 
\  Carver,  fi.  \  37. 
I)   Ibidem. 


VIRGINIA:  37 

guage  and  sentiment.  Even  their  figures  are  at- 
tended  with  such  peculiar  felicity,  that  they  pos- 
sess all  the  terseness  and  spirit  of  t'  c  ep'^im. 
Sometimes  their  orators  are  so  wonderfully  su- 
biimc  as  to  challenge  comparison  with  die  happiest 
sper.inncns  of  ancient  eloquence.  The  speech  of 
Logan,  the  Shawanese  chief,  has  been  given  to 
the  woild  by  Mr.  Jefierson,  and  is  too  well 
known  to  stand  in  need  of  eulogy.  The  speech 
of  Garangula,*  a  Mohawk  sachem,  to  Le  B-»rre, 
is  distinguished  alike  for  its  keen  irony,  bitter 
sarcasm,  as  its  spirit  and  judgment.  The 
speech  of  the  Shawanese  chief,  in  delivering 
young  Field  to  the  Virginia  commissioners,  is 
perhaps  not  surpassed  by  any  thing  of  its  kind. 
One  would  have  supposed  that  their  judgment  in 
connecting  and  enlivening  a  long  discourse,  and 
their  admirable  skill  in  managing  the  most  di  Hi- 
cult  treaties,  would  have  been  sufficient  to  res- 
cue the  character  of  this  people  from  the  charge 
of  incapacity.  But  no  difficulties  will  deter  the 
rage  of  hypothesis. 

Jriow  close  is  the  resemblance  tetween  the  two 
people  if  we  examine  their  treatment   to  their  T!v.;r*r:n 
children.     From  their  earliest  infancy,  says  R'iy    "•"..•.  HGI 
nal,  the  parents  respect  the  natural  independence  *j'^.u 
of  their  children,  and  never  beat  or  chide  them, 


*  Monsieur  Le  liarre*  willi  'lie  whole  fores  of  Canada, 
marched  against  the  Five  Nations  :  But  his  army  ixrins* 
wasted  by  a  contagious  disease,  he  proposed  to  treat  lor 
peace,  and  endeavoured  to  conceal  the  situation  of  his  army 
by  the  haughty  language  of  his  speech. 

GAR  ANGULAR  ANSWER. 

«  YONNOXDIO, 

"  I  honour  you,  and  the  warriors  that  are  with  me  ail  like- 
wise honour  you.  Your  interpreter  has  finished  your  speech, 
I  now  begin  mine.  My  word*  make  haste  lo  reacli  your 
curs  ;  hearken  to  them.  "  Yonnonclio,  you  must  have  l>e- 


38  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  because  they  will  not  check  that  free  and  martial 
spirit,  which  is  one  day  to  constitute  their  nrinci. 
pal.character.  "  The  children  of  savage>,"  adds 
Charlevoix,  "  when  they  leave  their  cradle  are  not 


lievcd  when  you  left  Quebec  thai  the  sun  had  burnt  up  all 
the  forests  which  render  our  country  inaccessible  to  the 
French,  or  that  the  lakes  had  so  fur  overflown  their  banks 
that  they  had  surrounded  our  castles,  and  that  it  was  i  in  pos- 
sible for  us  to  get  out  of  them.  Yes,  Yonnondio,  surely 
you  must  have  dreamt  so,  and  the  curiosity  of  seeing  so 
great  a  wonder  has  brought  you  so  iar.  No'v  you  are 
undeceived,  since  I  and  the  warriors  here  present  are  come 
to  assure  you  that  the  Senekas,  Cayugas,  Onondagas,  Onei- 
<lo',s  and  Mohawks  are  yci  alive.  I  thank  you  in  their  name 
lor  bringing  back  into  their  country  the  calumet  which  your 
predecessor  received  from  their  hands.  It  was  happy  for 
you  that  you  left  under  ground  that  murdering  hatchet,  that 
has  been  so  often  dyed  in  the  blood  of  the  French.  Heav 
Yonnondio,  I  do  not  sleep ;  I  have  my  eyes  open,  and  the 
bun  which  enlightens  me  discovers  to  me  a  great  captain,  at 
the  hvad  of  a  company  of  soldiers,  who  speaks  as  i*'  he 
were  dreaming.  He  says,  that  he  only  came  to  the  lake  to 
smoke  on  the  great  calumet  with  the  Onondagas.  Bu.  Ga- 
rangula  says,  that  he  sres  the  contrary  ;  that  it  was  lo  knock 
them  on  the  head  if  sickness  had  not  weakened  the  arms  of 
the  French. 

'*  I  see  Yonnondio  ravin**  in  a  camp  of  sick  men,  whose 
lives  the  Great  Spirit  had  saved  by  inflicting  this  sickness  on 
tl.em.  Hear,  Yonnondio,  our  women  would  have  taken  their 
clubs  ;  our  children  and  old  men  would  have  carried  their 
bows  and  arrows  in  the  heart  of  your  camp,  if  our  warriors 
had  not  disarmed  them  and  kept  them  back,  when  your 
messenger,  Ohguese  came  to  our  castles.  It  is  done,  and 
I  have  said  it.  Hear,  Yonnondio,  we  plundered  none  of  the 
1'rench  but  those  that  carried  guns,  powder  and  hall  to  the 
Twikties  and  the  Chictaghicks  ;  because  those  arms  might 
have  cost  us  our  lives  Herein  we  follow  the  example  of  the 
Jesuits  who  stave  all  the  kegs  of  rum  brought  to  our  castles> 
lest  the  drunken  Indians  should  knock  them  on  the  head.  Our 
warriors  have  not  beavers  enough  to  pay  for  all  the  arms  that 
they  have  taken,  and  our  old  men  are  not  afraid  a!  the  war. 
This  bell  preserves  my  words.  We  carried  the  English  into 
cur  lakes  to  trade  with  the  Utawawas  and  Quato^hies,  as 


VIRGINIA.  39 

confined  in  any  manner,  and  as  soon  as  they  can 
crawi  upon  their  hands  and  feet,  they  let  them 
go  where  they  will,  quite  naked  into  the  water, 
into  the  woods,  into  the  dirt  and  into  the  snow, 


the  Adrondacks  brought  the  French  to  our  castles  to  cany 
on  a  trade  which  the  English  say  is  their's.  We  are  born 
free  ;  we  neither  depend  on  •Yonnonclir  nor  Corltar.  We 
may  go  where  we  please,  and  carry  with  us  whom  we  please, 
and  buy  and  sell  what,  we  please:  If  your  allies  be  your 
sl«vfi,  use  them  as  buch  ;  command  them  to  receive  no 
other  but.  your  people.  This  belt  preserves  my  words. 

«•  We  knocked  the  TwicktWics  and  Chictaghicks  on  the 
head,  because  they  had  cut  down  the  trees  of  peace,  which 
were  the  limits  of  our  country.     They  have  hunted  beavers 
on  our  land.     They  have  acted  contrary  to  the  customs  of 
all  Indians,  foi  they   took   none  of  the  beavers  alive;  they 
killed  both  maic  and   temale.     They  broi.glit  the  Saiaius 
into  iheir  country  lotake  part  with  thtm  after  they  had  con- 
ceived ill  designs  against  us.  We  have  done  lessthan  either 
the  English  or  French ;  they  have  usurped  the  lands  ot  so 
many  Indian  nations  and 'chased  them  irom  their  own  coun- 
try.    This  belt  preset ves  my    words.     Hear,    Yonnondio, 
what  1  say  is  the  voice  of  all  the  Five  Nations.     Hear  what 
they  answer  ,  open  your  ears  to  what  they  speak.     The  Se- 
ntkas  Cayugas,  Onondagab,  O'lCicias  ai.d   Mohawks  say, 
that  vviien  they  buried  the  hatchet  at  Cadarckut  (in  the  j>re- 
Sciice  ci'  youi    predecessor)  in  the  middic  ot  the  tort,  they 
planted  l he  tree  of  peace  in  the  same  place,  to  be  there-  care- 
fully 4>rLhei\ed  ;  that  in  case  ol  letiear  for   soldiers  that  fort 
nuj;ni  LK-  a  rcndezvr  us  tor  merctiun:*  ;  that  in  piacc  ol  arms 
and  anununilion  of  war,  bi  overs  and   rnercnuiuit^c    should 
oi.iy  enter  Hit  re. 

i%  Htar,  Y  nnnndio ;  take  care  for  the  future  that  so  great 
a  number  ot  aoiditrs  as  app.ar  there  do  i?ot  rhoak  the  tree 
ol  peace  plaii'ed  in  so  sn^aii  a  tort.  It  would  be  a  great  loss 
ii  jfier  it  had  MJ  eas.lytaktii  HK>t,  you  sluKiid  sir.;;  i»s  growllt 
and  prevent  Us  covciin^  y-ur  courary  and  our's  with  it* 
brancncs  I  assint  v  u  in  the  name  of  ti>c  Five  Naiions, 
Ihui  our  wuriiotb  shal!  tiance  to  the  c;.luintt  «>l  peace  under 
Ub  leaves,  aiui  bi.ail  remain  c:iuei  on  ;ht.ir  malb,  and  shall 
never  dug  up  tue  n«.u het  t:il  t  .eir  u'eituxn,  Yonnondio  oc 

*  Indian  names  for  (/;?  ^overwore  of  Vtnadtand  A.  England. 


40  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  which  makes  their  bodies  strong,  their  limbs 
•  supple,  and  hardens  them  against  the  t  filets  of 
the  air."  The  treatment  of  the  young  Spartan, 
as  given  by  ftnacharsis,  would  equally  stand  for 
the  Indian.  "  His  delicate  limbs,'1  says  he,  "  are 
not  confined  with  bands  which  prevent  their  mo- 
tions ;  no  care  is  taken  to  stop  his  tears,  but 
the}'  are  never  excited  by  menaces  or  blows.  He 
is  accustomed  by  decrees  to  solitude,  darkness 
and  the  greatest  indifference  in  the  choice  of  eat- 
ables. He  is  alike  stranger  to  the  impressions  of 
terror,  listless  restraints  and  tmjnst  reproaches. 
Continually  occupied  in  innocent  sports,  he  en- 
joys all  tl:e  sweets  ol  life,  and  his  happiness  hast- 
ens the  expansion  of  the  powers  of  his  body  and 
the  fboullics  of  his  mind." 

Their  mill-  Do  rot  rheir  military  habits  and  customs  pre- 
taiy  habits  ciselv  correspond  ?  War  with  both  is  a  season  of 
an:  cus-  festivity.  For  then  were  immediately  suspended 
toms.  those  manual  labours,  which  were  looked  upon 

as  beneath  the  dignity  of  freemen. 

"  IT  is  not  in  this  mournful  way,"  says  Kay- 
nal,  "  that  the  savages  meet  victory.  They 
march  out  in  the  midst  of  festivity,  singing  and 
dancing ;  the  young  married  women  follow  their 


Corlear,  shall  either  jointly  or  separately  endeavour  to  attack 
the  u-ujitry  \\hich  the  Great  Spirit  has  i^ivcn  to  our  ances- 
tors. This  belt  preserves  my  words,  and  this  other  the  au- 
thority which  ihe  Five  Nations  has  ^iven  me." 

Then  Garaogttla  addressing  himself  to  Muns.  Le  Main, 
said, 

"  Take  courage,  Chinese,  you  have  spirit;  speak,  ex- 
plain my  words;  forget  nothing  ;  tell  all  that  your  brethren 
and  friend  say  to  Yonrondio,  your  governor,  by  the  mnuth 
of  Garnngula,  who  loves  you  and  desires  you  in  u<  vcpt  of 
thit>  present  of  beaver,  -''nd  t>,ke  pu:t  with  nv  in  nv  least  to 
which  I  imiu  y«,n  TI  is  present  is  sent  to  Yonnonciio  on  the, 
pail  of  the  1-ivt  Nations.'* 


VIRGINIA. 

husbands  for  a  day  or  two;  but  without  shewing 
any  signs  of  grief  or  sorrow.  These  women, 
who  never  once  cry  out  in  the  pangs  of  childbed, 
would  scorn  to  soften  the  minds  of  the  defenders 
and  avengers  of  their  country  by  their  tears  or 
even  by  their  endearments."  Anacharsis  thus 
describes  the  preparations  for  battle  among  the 
Spartans:  "  On  the  day  of  battle,  the  king,  in 
imitation  of  Hercules,  sacrifices  a  she  goat,  while 
the  Byte- players  play  the  air  of  Castor :  He  then 
sings  the  hymn  of  battle,  which  all  the  soldiers 
with  their  brows  girt  with  crowns,  repeat  in  con- 
cert." 

BOTH  the  Spartans  and  Indians  in  their  wars  Bothprefet 
prefer  art  and  stratagem  to  force.  Nor  does  this  stratagem 
proceed,  as  has  been  insinuated,  from  any  want  to  force* 
oi  courage :  But  because  the  life  of  a  citizen 
was  valued  at  a  high  rate,  and  their  commu- 
nities being  small,  it  would  be  impossible  in  the 
inidst  of  incessant  wars,  to  preserve  them,  without 
such  a  maxim,  from  extermination.  "  It  is  true," 
says  Charlevoix  speaking  of  Iri'dians,  "  that  in 
their  wars  they  expose  themselves  as  little  as  may 
be,  because  they  make  it  their  chief  glory  never 
to  buy  the  victory  at  a  dear  rate ;  and  because  of 
their  nations  not  being  numerous  they  have  made 
it  a  maxim  not  to  weaken  them  t  But  when  they 
must  fight,  they  encrease  their  strength  and  cou- 
rage. They  have  been  in  many  actions  with 
our  brave  men,  who  have  seen  them  perform 
things  almost  incredible." 

WITH  the  Spartans  too,  "  the  success  which 
has  been  obtained  by  prudence  is  preferred  to 
that  which  is  gained  by  bravery  only." 

STILL  more  striking  is  their  coincidence  in  Their  ties 
the  manner  of  forming  and  preserving  the  ties  of  friend- 
of  friendship.     "Then  it  is,"  says  Anacharsis,  shlP- 


42  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  «  that  they  (the  Spartans)  begin  to  contract  those 
intimate  connexions,  which  are  little  known  in 
other  countries,  and  more  pure  in  Lacedemon 
than  in  the  othtr  cities  of  Greece.  It  is  permit- 
ted to  each  of  them  to  receive  the  assiduous  at- 
tentions of  a  virtuous  young  man,  attracted  by 
the  charms  of  beauty  and  the  still  more  powerful 
charms  of  virtue,  of  which  beauty  is  the  em- 
blem. The  youth  of  Sparta  is  thus  as  it  were  di- 
vided into  two  classes,  the  one  consisting  of  those 
who  love,  and  the  other  of  those  who  are  be- 
loved. The  first,  destined  to  serve  as  models  to 
the  second,  carry  even  to  enthusiasm  a  sentiment, 
which  produces  the  most  noble  emulation,  and 
which  with  the  transports  of  love,  is  in  reality 
only  the  passionate  tenderness  of  a  father  for  his 
child,  or  the  ardent  friendship  of  a  brother  for 
his  brother." 

"  THE  ties  of  friendship,"  says  Raynal, 
"  among  the  savages  are  almost  as  strong  as  those 
of  nature,  and  .more  lasting.  These  are  never 
broken  by  that  variety  of  clashing  interests  which 
in  our  societies  weaken  even  the  tenderest  and 
-most  sacred  connexion.  There  the  heart  of  one 
man  choos.es  another  in  which  he  deposits  his  in- 
most thoughts,  his  sentiments,  his  projects,  his 
sorrows  and  his  joys.  Every  thing  becomes 
common  between  two  friend;; ;  their  union  is  for 
lile.  They  fight  side  by  side,  and  if  one  fall, 
the  other  constantly  dies  upon  his  friend's  body. 
If  they  are  separated  in  some  imminent  danger^ 
each  calls  upon  the  name  of  his  friend ;  each  in* 
vokcs  his  spirit.  This  is  his  tutelar  deity." 

.WITH  Loth,  war  was  a  season  oi  rest  and  plea- 
sure.* The  contempt  of  cowardice  and  the  pe- 

*  The  intervals  of  the  day  are  past  in  different  amuse- 
ments j  for  they  are  then  subjected  to  fewer  labours  than 


VIRGINIA.  43 

nalties  attached  to  it,  were  the  same  with  both.     CHAP. 
Their   equality ;    their   disinterestedness ;    their         *     ' 
refusal  to  portion  their  daughters  ;   their  respect  " 
for  the  laws  and  their  ancient  manners ;  their  cus- 
tom of  destroying  their  deformed  children,  were 
precisely  the  same.   ' 

THE   general  portrait  of  American   manners  General 
will  serve  for  the  Indian  of  Virginia.     In  every  Portrait  WH1 
lineament  the  resemblance  is  complete.     To  re-  y-rve 
view,  therefore,  each  step  on  the  scale  would  be  a     ir^n' 
vain  and  useless  repetition.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the 
character  of  their  faces,  their  persons  and  man- 
ners,    is  the  same.     There  are,  notwithstanding, 
several  incidents  in  the  history  of  Virginia,  which 
having  passed  immediately  under  the  observation 
of  the  whites,  will  tend  to  confirm  the  correct- 
ness  of  the  portrait,  and  have  the  effect  perhaps 
of  removing  all  scepticism  on  this  subject. 

IT  will  be  certainly  granted  that  the  official  acts 
of  our  state  governments  during  their  colonial 
and  independent  existences,  and  -their  talks  and 
treaties  with  this  people,  afford  a  proof  of  a 
nature  the  least  suspicious  and  unquestionable. 
It  will  be  conceded  at  the  same  time,  that  no 
vernments  on  earth  have  an  equal  opportunity  of 
observation  and  intercourse  with  them.  The  In- 
dians subject  to  the  Spanish  governments  in  North 
and  South  America  are,  it  is  true,  beyond  com- 
parison more  numerous  :  Thev  live  moreover  in 
tlie  midst  of  their  conquerors*  But  these  Indians 
have  lost  almost  all  distinct  traces  of  thtir  origi- 
nal manners;  they  have  in  general  abandoned 
the  hunter  state:  They  are  workers  in  the  mines; 
they  are  cultivators,  mercha  t  or  artisans:  But 


they  were  before  they  sook  the  nek! :  Itnu-y  be  ^akl  that  war 
h  to  them  a  time  of  leisure  and  rest. 


44  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  above  all,  they  are  slaves.  With  them  the  rude 
virtues  of  their  ancestors  are  forgotten.  With 
the  exception  of  the  natives  of  Chili  and  a  few 
roving  tribes,  this  is  a  just  picture  of  the  Spanish 
Indians.  These  are  certainly  improper  subjects 
for  a  fair  examination. 

THE  Indians  in  the  vicinity  of  the  United 
States,  on  the  other  hand,  together  with  their  in. 
dependence,  preserve  their  original  character  and 
manners,  and  even  their  language.  Their  chiefs, 
as  I  have  before  stated,  led  by  business  or  at- 
tracted by  curiosity,  visit  our  cities ;  and  the  wise 
policy  of  our  government  keeps  regular  agents 
amongst  them,  with  the  double  view  of  securing 
their  friendship  and  improving  their  condition. 
Here  then  we  have  the  subject  to  be  examined, 
together  with  the  occasion  and  the  means  for  a 
fair  investigation, 

IT  may  not  be  improper  to  state,  that  a  plan  of 
Plan  of  In-  improvement  for  the  Indians  was  drafted  during 
ciyili-  t|ie  administration  of  Mr.  Washington,  which 
with  some  interruption  has  been  constantly  in 
operation  to  this  day.  It  was  conceived  by  coL 
Ha*wkins  of  North  Carolina,  a  man,  by  his  pati- 
ence, temper  and  sagacity,  admirably  calculated 
for  so  arduous  and  delicate  an  employment.  The 
history  of  this  mission  I  have  from  the  mouth  of 
this  gentleman ;  and  the  picture  of  Indian  manners 
is  drawn  from  materials  obligingly  furnished  by 
him.  They  were  not  indeed  so  ample  as  I  could 
have  wished,  Mr.  Hawkins  having  been  able  to 
spare  but  a  short  time  to  this  communication.  I 
have  his  promise,  that  at  no  distant  day  he  will 
transmit  a  more  full  and  satisfactory  account  of 
all  the  peculiarities  of  custom,  of  laws  and  man- 
ners  among  this  people. 

His  project  to  introduce  civilization,  he  re- 
presents to  have  beuiatone  time  hopeless.. 


VIRGINIA;  45 

ing1  announced  to  the  Creek  nation  the  object  of  CHAP. 
his  mission,  he  was  able,  after  repeated  disap-  I" 
pointments  and  mortifications,  to  procure  at 
length  an  assembly  of  the  nation.  By  the  means 
of  a  female  interpreter,  whom  he  was  obliged 
previously  to  instruct  in  the  elements  of  English, 
he  slowly  and  perspicuously  developed  his  plan 
of  civilization  :  What  must  have  been  his  feel- 
ings, when,  instead  of  the  approbation  he  had  rea- 
son to  expect,  each)  section  of  his  report  was  sa- 
luted by  a  rudeness  which  decency  cannot  name  ? 

THE  same  contempt  of  the  plan  proposed  was 
manifested  at  succeeding  meetings.  The  san- 
guine temper  of  the  projector,  added  to  his  ad- 
mirable  patience  and  address,  alone  prevented  a 
total  and  immediate  failure.  By  well  timed  pre- 
sents to  the  chiefs ;  by  a  marked  and  flattering 
attention  to  the  women,  who  have  considerable 
weight  in  this  and  the  neighbouring  tribes ; 
by  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  plan  itself,  and  the 
excellent  capacity  cf  the  people  to  whom  it  was 
addressed ;  but  chiefly  by  the  unvarying  amenity 
of  his  face  and  manners,  he  first  procured  silence 
and  attention,  and  gradually  established  conviction. 
The  dawn  of  civilization  begins  to  appear.  By 
a  vase  and  liberal  policy,  mechanic  tools  and  in- 
struments of  husbandry  are  distributed  amongst 
the  most  industrious  and  deserving.  An  excellent 
breed  of  cattle  range  along  the  extensive  prairies 
with  which  this  country  abounds :  The  other  do- 
mestic animals  are  introduced,  and,  at  the  time  I 
am  now  writing,  the  Creeks  and  their  neighbours 
are  approaching  the  social  state  with  a  rapidity  of 
which  there  is  no  example  in  the  annals  of  man- 
kind. 

CONTRASTED  with  a  policy  so  noble,  how  sink 
the  petty  expedients,  the  puerile  and  wicked  ambi- 
tion oi  kings.  Here  we  see  government,  according 


HISTORY  OF 


The  com- 

figure  o^n 
the  Indian. 


to  its  true  and  original  intendment,  resolving  it- 
self into  a  scheme  of  ethics  :  Instead  of  ravaging 
the  earth ;  burning  its  cities  and  murdering  its 
inhabitants,  we  behold  it  reclaiming  the  horrid 
wilderness  to  culture,  audits  roving  savage  to 
arts  and  humanity.  How  consoling  to  humanity; 
how  grateful' to  science,  must  be  the  success  of 
this  experiment.  How  delightful  the  sensations  of 
the  intelligent  projector,  who  lives  amongst  them 
like  a  father  in  the  midst  of  his  children.  The 
result  of  his  observations  oh'  their  character  and 
manners,  together  with  whatever  else  I  have 
thought  accurate,  shall  be  treated  under  the  pro- 
per heads,  and  if  they  add  little  that  is  new  or  in- 
teresting, they  shall  at  least  reject  the  rubbish 
of  unnatural  conjecture  and  preserve  only  what 
is  genuine  and  authentic. 

THE  face  of  the  Indian  when  arrived  at  matu- 
rity is  a  dark  brown  and  chesnut.  By  a  free  use 
of  bear's  grease  and  a  continual  exposure  to  the 
sun  and  weather,  it  becomes  harder  and  darker. 
This,  however,  is  not  the  natural  complexion. 
In  infancy  they  are  much  fairer.  *  Their  hair  is 
almost  invariably  of  a  coal  black,  straight  and 
long ;  their  cheek  bones  are  high,  and  their  eyes 
black  and  full  of  acharacter  of  wildness  andferocity 
that  mark  their  unappeasable  thirst  of  vengeance, 
and  their  free  and  uncontrolled  indulgence  of 
every  fierce  and  violent  passion.  But  the  educa- 
tion of  an  Indian,  which  commences  almost  with 


*  "  They  are  very  swarthy,"  says  Charl^voix  speaking 
of  the  Canadians,  "and  of  a  dirty  dark  red  But  this  is  not 
their  natural  complexion.  The  frequent  frictions  they  use 
gives  them  this  red,  and  it  is  surprising  that  they  are  not 
blacker ;  being  continually  exposed  to  the  smoke  in  winter, 
to  the  great  heat  in  summer,  and^n  all  seasons  to  the  incle-r 
inencies  of  the  air." 


47 

his  birth,  teaches  him  that  dissimulation,  which     CHAP. 
masks  the  thought  and  smooths  the  countenance,         *' 
is  the  most  useful  of  virtues ;  and  there  is  a  con- 
tinual  effort  to  check  the  fierce  sallies  of  the  eye 
and  keep  down  the  consuming  rage  of  his  bosom. 
His  eye,   therefore,   is  generally  averted  or  bent 
downwards  :   The  terrible  complacency  of  the  ti- 
ger is  no  inapt  illustration  of  an  Indian  visage. 

THE  figure  of  an  Indian  is  admirably  proper-  His  figure, 
tioned  beyond  any  thing  that  has  hitherto  been 
seen  of  the  human  form.  Tall,  straight;  their 
muscles  hardened  by  the  continual  action  of  the 
weather ;  their  limbs  supple  by  exercise  and  per- 
haps by  the  use  of  oil,  they  outstrip  the  bear  and 
run  down  the  buck  and  the  elk.  No  such  thing  is  to 
be  found  as  a  dwarfish,  crooked,  bandylegged,  or 
otherwise  mishaptn  Indian.*  A  circumstance 
so  uncommon,  which  appears  thus  to  put  a  check 
on  the  gambols  and  irregularities  of  nature ,  has  been 
attempted  to  be  accounted  for  in  various  ways. 
The  speculations  of  Dr.  Robertson  contain  every- 
thing which  has  been  said  on  the  subject. 

*'  SOME  authors  search  for  the  cause  of  this 
appearance  in  their  physical  condition.  As  the 
parents  are  not  exhausted  or  over  fatigued  with 
hard  labour,  they  suppose  that  their  children  are 
born  vigorous  and  sound.  They  imagine  that 
in  the  vigour  of  savage  life,  the  human  bodv 
naked  and  unconfined  from  its  earliest  age,  pre- 
serves its  natural  form,  and  that  all  its  limbs  and 
members  acquire  a  juster  proportion  than  when 
fettered  with  the  artificial  restraints  which  stint 
its  growth  and  distort  its  shape.  Something, 
without  doubt  may  be  ascribed  to  the  operation 
of  these  causes,  but  the  true  reasons  of  this  appa- 


*  fievcrley,  Hist.  Virg.p.  140. 


i8  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     rent  advantage  which  is  common  to  all  savage 
L         nations  lie  deeper  and  are  closely  interwoven  with 
"  the  natnre  and  genius  of  that  state.    The  infancy 
of  man  is  so  long  and  helpless  that  it  is  extremely 
difficult  to  rear  children  in  rude  nations.     Their 
means  of  subsistence  are  not  only  scanty  but  pre- 
carious; such  as  live  by  hunting  must  range  over 
extensive  countries,  and  shift  often  from  place  to 
place  ;  the  care  of  children  as  well  as  every  other 
laborious  task  devolves  upon  the  women.     The 
distresses  and  hardships  of  the  savage  life,  which 
are  often  such  as  can  hardly  be  supported  by  per- 
sons in  lull  vigour,  and  must  be  fatal  to  those  of 
more  tender  age.     Afraid  of  undertaking  a  task 
so  laborious  and  of  such  long  duration  as  that  of 
rearing  their  offspring,  the  women  in  some  parts 
of  America  procure  frequent  abortions  by  the 
use  of  certain  herbs,   and   extinguish  the  first 
sparks  of  that  life  which  they  are  unable  to  che- 
rish.    Sensible  that  only  stout  and  well  formed 
children  have  force  of  constitution  to  struggle 
through  such  an  hard  infancy,  other  nations  aban- 
don or  destroy  such  of  their  progeny  as  appear 
feeble  or  defective,   as  unworthy  of  their  protec- 
tion. Even  when  they  endeavour  to  rear  all  their 
children  without  distinction,   so  great  a  propor- 
tion of  the  whole  number  perish  under  the  rigor- 
ous treatment  which  must  be  their  lot  in  the  sa- 
vage state,  that  few  of  those  who  labour  under 
any  original  frailty  attain  the  age  of  manhood."* 
Thepowers      THE  powrer  and  qualities  of  their  minds  are 
and  qiialw    su(,h  as  we  should  expect  from  their  state  of  so- 

mind.  ciet>r-  In  a  state  of  nature  the  mir»d  of  man  dif- 
fers but  little  from  the  animals  around  him.  Oc- 
cupied in  supplying  his  wants  or  gratifying  his 


Tol.  %  fl.  T 


VIRGINIA;  49 

resentments,  he  has  but  little  time  or  inclination     CHAP. 

for  the  labours   of  calculation  or  the  refinements L 

of  abstraction.  The  sensible  objects  with  which 
he  is  most  conversant  impress  themselves  on  his 
memory  in  the  order  and  degrees  of  their  im- 
portance; but  their  classification  and  the  faculty 
of  generalizing  them  by  an  idea  and  term  that 
shall  take  in  all  the  particulars  and  classes,  are 
the  result  of  deep  thought  and  intense  reflection. 
For  this,  leisure  and  application  are  necessary. 
But  the  time  of  the  Indian  after  returning  suc- 
cessful from  the  chace  or  victorious  from  the  bat- 
tle, is  too  valuable  to  be  employed  in  such  trifles. 
His  duty  it  is,  to  spread  the  feast ;  to  hear  the 
praises  of  the  old  men  and  the  congratulations  of 
the  women ;  to  attend  the  great  council  of  the  na- 
tion and  to  sing  the  history  of  his  own  exploits : 
If  any  time  remain  after  discharging  those  duties, 
he  exercises  himself  in  shooting  the  arrow  or 
throwing  the  tomahawk  ;  or  stretched  at  length 
along  the  grass  enjoys  that  luxury  of  indolence 
which  constitutes  the  supreme  blessing  of  his  ex- 
istence. 

THE  idea  of  numbers  is  therefore  very  limited 
among  the  tribes.  Some  of  them  can  reckon  a 
thousand,  while  others  cannot  exceed  ten :  To 
express  any  greater  number  they  are  compelled 
to  resort  to  something  indefinite.  As  numerous 
as  the  pigeons  in  the  woods  or  the  stars  in  the 
heavens,  is  a  mode  of  expression  for  any  greater 
number.  For  the  same  reason  their  language 
has  no  term  for  the  abstract  ideas  of  time,  space, 
universal,  &.c.  There  is  however  a  conjecture, 
which  if  true,  will  prove  that  the  Indians  of 
Virginia  had  a  more  copious  arithmetic.  It 
is  suggested  that  Tomocomoco  or  Uttomacco- 
mac  was  sent  to  England  by  Powhatan,  for 

G 


SO  HISTORY  OF 

the  purpose  of  procuring  an  exact  account  of  the 
number  of  the  people  of  England,  Tomocomoco 
made  the  attempt  till  his  arithmetic  failed,  but 
before  he  would  be  sent  on  such  an  errand,  he 
must  have  been  abte  to  reckon  the  Powhatans, 
and  these  according  even  to  the  lowest  estimates 
amounted  to  eight  thousand.  They  have  at  the 
same  time  a  method  of  obviating  this  want  by 
hyeroglyphics  or  sensible  representations,  which 
combine  at  the  same  time  the  elements  of  draw- 
ing and  arithmetic ;  an  account  of  which  is  thus 
given  by  Raynal.* 

"  Ihfi  conqueror  leaves  his  hatchet  on  the 
field  of  battle,  having  previously  engraven  upon 
it  the  marks  of  his  nation,  that  of  his  family,  and 
especially  his  own  picture  ;  that  is  to  say,  an  oval 
with  the  figures  marked  on  his  own  face.  Others 
pj.iut  all  these  ensigns  of  honour,  or  rather  trophies 
of  victory,  on  the  stump  of  a  tree,  or  on  a  piece 
of  the  bark,  with  coal  mixed  up  with  several  co- 
lours. To  this  they  add  not  only  the  history  of 
the  battle,  but  of  the  whole  campaign,  in  hyero- 
giyphic  characters.  Immediately  after  the  gene* 
ral's  picture  are  those  of  his  soldiers,  marked  by 
so  m.iny  lines ;  the  number  of  prisoners  pointed 
out  by  so  many  little  images,  and  that  oi  the 
dead  by  so  many  human  figures  without  heads. 
Such  art  the  expressive  and  technical  signs  which 
in  all  original  societies  have  preceded  the  art  of 
wriijng  and  printing,  and  the  voluminous  libra- 
ries which  fill  the  palaces  of  the  rich  and  idle, 
and  encumber  the  heads  of  the  learned  " 

YET  is  this  prople,  thus  rude  and  unlettered, 
full  of  genius  and  the  most  admirable  capacity 
for  peace  or  war.  It  is  truly  astonishing  to  see 


*  Raynal's  History  of  Americ^  jiage  4 1 


VIRGINIA: 

the  patience  and  address  with  which  they  manage 
the  most  important  treaties :  VViih  what  accuracy 
they  divide  their  discourse  under  several  heads ; 
never  omitting  an}  thing  interesting  or  impor- 
tant to  the  purpose,  embellishing  it  as  thty  pro- 
ceed with  touches  of  native  delicacy  and  senti- 
ments that  often  rise  into  the  sublime  ;  and  how 
without  any  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  gram- 
mar there  should  be  often  found  so  much  point 
and  precision  in  their  language.  The  eloquence 
of  their  speeches  it  may  be  safely  affirmed  has 
never  been  matched  by  the  productions  of  any 
people  in  a  corresponding  state  of  society. 

IT  is  owing  to  che  same  causes  that  tliey  have 
made  but  few  improvements  in  the  useful  aits.  Iron  But  few  im- 
has  been  thought  necessary  to  the  progress  of  ci-  provements 
vilization,  and  an  ignorance  of  the  uses  of  this  in  us 
valuable  metal  an  infallible  index  to  a  state  of  ex-  arts§ 
trtme  rudeness  and  barbarism.      Vet  the  Indians 
of  this  continent  were  ignorant  of  the  Ui>e  of  iron. 
Instigated  by  no  wants ;  impelled   by  no  neces- 
sity ;  satisfied  with  the  rich  productions,   which 
they  found  scattered  profusely  on  the  surface ; 
regarding  indolence  next  to  war  as  the  chief  bles- 
sing :   Is  it  wonderful  that  thty  had  not  penetrated 
the   bowt  is   of    he  tarth,  and  subjected  its  pon- 
derous orts  to  the  tedious  and  doubtful  operation 
ot  lire  ?* 


*  "  If  they  have  brought  noting  to  perfection  anv  more 
than  the  most  sagacious  am  'Is,  it  is  probably  because  tntse 
people*  havirij*  no  ideas  bu  su ;  »  as  relate  to  their  present 
wants,  the  equality  that  subs'  >  >  between  them  lays  every 
individual  under  the  necessity  of  thinking  for  himself,  aiul  of 
spending  his  whoie  lite  in  acquiring  this  occasional  learning 
Hence,  it  may  !>t  reasonably  inft-rr. d,  ihat  the  sum  total 
of  ideas  in  a  society  of  savages  is  no  more  than  the  sum  of 
ideas  of  each  individual." 

Raynai's  History  of  America,  p..  — 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 

I. 


No  written 
laws. 
The  cus- 
toms and 
jiiar.ners  of 
the  Indians 


IT  has  been  said  that  the  Indian  is  the  most  im- 
provident of  animals ;  that  satisfied  with  his  present 
enjoyments,  he  wastes  no  thought  on  the  mor- 
row, and  that  repeated  calamities  have  added  no- 
thing to  his  care  or  foresight.  This  may  have 
been  true  of  some  of  the  tribes  in  South  America 
or  in  the  islands.  The  North  American,  and 
mort  especially  the  Virginian,  always  had  their 
public  stock  hoarded.  Powhatan  and  the  other 
s^ c hems  carried  on  a  continual  trade  with  the 
first  cjlonists  for  corn,  and  we  find  that  Raleigh, 
Baltimore  and  Pain  derived  their  principal  sup- 
port from  similar  sources.  But  the  quantity  of 
labour  and  industry  required  for  raising  this  su- 
perfluity was  comparatively  nothing.  A  few  did 
nor,  us  in  established  societies,  work  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  whole,  and  for  the  purpose  of  ena- 
bling the  rich  to  vend  their  surplus  commodities 
in  foreign  markets.  Here  every  man  laboured  for 
himself  or  for  the  common  stock,  and  a  few  days 
in  every  3  ear  were  sufficient  for  the  maintenance 
of  each  ID  an,  and  by  consequence,  of  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  tribe. 

1  HE  Indians  of  Virginia  have  no  written  laws, 
but  their  customs  handed  down  from  age  to  age 
in  the  traditions  of  their  old  men  have  all  the 
force  of  the  best  defined  and  positive  institutions. 
IN  or  is  this  respect  acquired  by  the  fear  of  punish- 
ment. The  aborigines  of  Virginia,  whatever  may 
bt  pretended,  enjoy  eel  complete  freedom.  Their 
sachems  made  their  own  tools  and  instruments  of 
husbandry  :  They  worked  in  the  ground  in  com- 
ir-.on  with  the  other  Indians.  They  could  enter 
into  no  measure  of  a  public  nature  without  the 
concurrence  of  the  matchacomoco  or  grand  coun- 
cil ;  anel  c  ven  after  this  body  had  elecided  on  the 
merits  of  the  question,  the  consent  of  the  peo- 
ple at  large  was  necessary  to  sanction  their  pro- 


VIRGINIA:  53 

ceedings.  If  the  voice  of  this  council  be  in  fa-  CHAP. 
vourof  war,  the  young  men  express  their  approba- 
tion  by  painting  themselves  of  various  colours  so 
^is  to  render  their  appearance  horrible  to  their  ene- 
mies. In  this  state  they  rush  furiously  into 
the  council  :  They  begin  the  war  dance,  accom- 
panying their  steps  with  fierce  gestures  expres- 
sive of  their  thirst  of  vengeance,  and  describing 
the  mode  in  which  they  will  surprize,  wound, 
kill  and  scalp  their  enemies.  After  this  they  sing 
their  own  glories  ;  they  recount  the  exploits  of 
their  ancestors  and  the  ancient  glories  of  their 
nation. 

*  "  WHEJJ  any  matter  is  proposed  in  the  na- 
tional council,  it  is  common  for  the  chiefs  of  the 
several  tribes  to  consult  thereon  apart  with  their 
counsellors,  and  when  they  have  agreed,  to  de- 
liver the  opinion  of  the  tribe  at  the  national  coun- 
cil, and  as  their  government  seems  to  rest  wholly 
on  persuasion,  they  endeavour  by  mutual  conces- 
sions to  obtain  unanimity.  Their  only  controuls 
are  their  manners  and  their  moral  sense  of  right 
and  wrong,  which  like  tasting  and  smelling  in 
every  man,  makes  part  of  his  nature." 

"  AN  offence  against  these  is  punished  by  con- 
tempt, by  exclusion  from  society,  or  when  the 
case  is  serious,  as  in  murder,  by  the  individuals 
whom  it  concerns,  "f 


*  Jeff.  dji.  sor. 

t  Imperfect,  says  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  this  species  of  co- 
ercion may  seem,  crimes  are  very  rare  amongst  ihem  ;  in- 
somuch that  were  it  made  a  question,  wether  no  lav/,  as 
among  the  savag«  Americans,  or  too  much  law,  as  amcn^ 
the  civilized  Europeans,  submits  man  to  the  greatest  evils, 
one  who  has  seen  both  conditions  of  existence  would  pro- 


HISTORY  OF 

'  THE  Indians  of  Virginia  had  no  idea  of  distinct 

and  exclusive  property ;  the  lands  were  in  com- 

Mode  of  mon,  and  every  man  had  a  right  to  choose  or 
reckoning,  abandon  his  situation  at  pleasure.  Their  mode  of 
computation,  as  with  us,  was  by  units,  tens  and 
hundreds :  there  is  no  light  on  the  records  by 
which  we  may  discover  its  limits  or  extent. 
Analogy  affords  no  helps  on  this  occasion.  The 
Iroquois  could  reckon  a  thousand,  whilst  other 
tribes,  almost  in  their  neighbourhood,  could 
count  no  farther  than  ten. 

"  THEY  reckon  their  years  by  winters/  or  co- 
honks  as  they  call  them,  which  was  a  name  taken 
from  the  note  of  the  wild  geese,  intimating  so 
many  times  of  the  wild  geese  coming  to  them, 
which  is  every  winter  " 

"  THEY  distinguish  the  several  parts  of  the 
year  by  five  seasons,  viz.  The  budding  or  blos- 
soming of  the  spring;  the  earing  of  the  corn,  or 
roasting  ear  time  ;  the  summer,  or  highest  sun  ; 
the  corn  gathering,  or  fall  of  the  leaf;  and  the 
winter,  or  cohonks."  • 

"  THEY  count  the  months  by  the  moons, 
though  not  with  any  relation  to  so  many  in  a  year 
as  we  do :  But  they  make  them  return  again  by  the 
same  name,  as  the  moon  of  stags,  the  corn  moon, 
the  first  and  second  moon  of  cohonks." 

"  THEY  have  no  distinction  of  the  hours  of 
the  day,  but  divide  it  only  into  three  parts,  the 
rise,  the  power  and  lowering  of  the  sun  ;  and 
they  keep  their  accounts  by  knots  on  a  string,  or 
notches  on  a  stick,  not  unlike  the  Peruvian  Quip- 
ppes."# 


nounce  it  to  be  the  last,  and  that   the   sheep  are   happier 
themselves  than  under  the  care  of  the  wolves. 

Notes,   T/rg.  page  133. 
*  JBevcrleir* 


VIRGINIA.  55 

As  it  suiter!  the  prejudices  or  theories  of  wri- 
ters, the  Indian  has  been  represented  as  an  aihe- 
ist,  or  Mancr cean  ;  or  to  have  been  impressed  Their  reli- 
with  notions  ol  the  deity,  full  of  the  most  won-  £lon* 
deriul  rtiinenient  and  sublimity.  The  most 
monstrous  coniradictions  on  this  head  are  to  be 
found  even  when  the  sume  country  and  the  same 
tribes  are  the  subjects  of  iheir  inquiry.  Charle- 
voix,  and  in  general  all  the  clerical  writers,  with 
the  exception  of  father  Hcnnpin,  pietend  to  have 
discovered  in  their  customs  and  traditionary  his- 
tory, traces  ol  scripture  knowledge,  and  even 
glimpses  of  the  gospel.  My  information  on  this 
interesting  subject  is  derived  from  Mr.  Hawkins 
and  an  intelligent  interpreter,  who  has  lived  forty 
years  among  the  Creeks,  and  who  attended  a  de- 
putation of  the  Creek  sachems  on  a  mission  to 
our  government.  Hib  information  corresponds 
exactly  with  two  of  the  chiefs  who  were  tole- 
rably versant  in  English,  and  whose  replies 
discovered  an  excellent  capacity  and  a  shrewd- 
ness derived  from  some  acquaintance  with  the 
world. 

THE  Indians,  according  to  their  concurrent  re- 
port, entertain  some  vague  idea  of  a  pre -existent  Their  no- 
cause,  whose  faculties  and  attributes  are  superior  to  tion  of  a 
those  of  man  and  other  animals  :   But  with  them  God* 
this  is  more  a  matter  of  fancy  than  belief.   It  is  not 
considered  as  a  necessary  tenet :  No  penalties  are 
conceived  to  be  attached  to  infidelity  either  in  this 
world  or  the  next    They  erect  no  temples  to  him ; 
they  seek  not  to  appease  his  wrath,  or  solicit  his 
pardon  and  protection  by  prayers  and  sacrifices* 
They  have   no  days  set  apart  for  his  worship. 
They  never  kneel  or  prostrate  themselves  before 
the  sun  or  any  of  the  other  striking  emblems  of  his 
power  and  goodness.     They   return  no   thanks 
lor  their  success  in  battle  or  in  hunting,  or  dQ 


56  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     penance  for  their  sins,  as  being  the  causes  of  their 
*•         afflictions.  But  acting  in  all  things  as  if  they  were 
independent  and   even  co-ordinate  beings,  they 
scarcely  admit  his  superiority  and  appear  indif- 
ferent to  his  resentments. 

THE  causes  of  this  indifference  will  be  found 
in  the  Indian  character.  Man  has  every  where 
been  in  the  habit  of  drawing  a  portrait  of  the  Al- 
mighty from  his  own  image.  The  moral  attri- 
butes of  this  being  are  also  copied  from  the  ope- 
rations of  his  own  mind.  The  principal  features 
of  the  Indian  character  are  his  complete  equality, 
his  resptct  for  the  rights  and  independence  of 
others,  his  sense  of  his  own  dignity,  and  his  con- 
tempt of  the  slavish  forms  of  ceremon)  in  use  in  ci- 
vilized states.  These  attributes,  by  a  similar  pro- 
cess, he  transfers  to  his  God,  and  we  may  rationally 
inier  on  those  grounds  that  any  extraordinary  at- 
tention would  be  equally  disagreeable  to  this  spi- 
TheirMas-  rjt  an(j  unworthy  of  him.  The  name  for  this  in- 
«f  Great*11  vibiblc  bein§ is'  literally  translated,  Master  Breath, 
Spirit^  or  the  cause  of  breath,  by  which,  they  mean  life 
to  other  animals. 

IT  is  curious  to  observe  among  savage  nations 
the  almost  invariable  disposition  to  spiritualize 
the  deity.  One  would  suppose  that  the  first  no- 
tions of  rude  beings  on  this  head  would  be  sug- 
gested by  objects  of  sense.  But  perhaps  a  more 
intimate  acquaintance  with  their  language  and  re- 
ligion would  shew  that  matter  is  not  wholly  ex- 
cluded from  their  idea  of  a  Supreme  Being. 

THE  Iroquois  and  other  nations  of  North 
America,  with  the  exception  of  the  Mexicans 
and  Natchez,  called  this  being  by  the  title  of 
the  Great  Spirit,  and  some  of  the  finest  flights 
of  their  eloquence  have  allusion  to  the  agency 
qf  this  being* 


VIRGINIA*  57- 

TH  EIR  ideas  of  a  future  state  are  equally  CHAP, 
vague  and  uncertain.  They  believe  that  those  _ 
who  have  been  distinguished  as  successful  hun- 
ters or  hardv  warriors,  or  such  as  have  figured 
in  the  national  council,  will  be  treated  with  mark- 
ed attention  by  the  Master  Breath  on  their  arri- 
val in  the  region  of  spirits ;  and  that  this  Being 
will  afford  them  every  assistance  in  forming  an 
establishment  in  their  new  country :  But  that  the 
cowards,  or  as  they  call  them,  the  old  women, 
will  be  punished  by  neglect  and  contempt,  and 
obliged  to  shift  for  themselves.  Here  again  we 
behold  the  anxiety  of  man  to  transfer  his  institu- 
tions to  heaven  Contempt  and  an  exclusion 
from  society  were  the  principal  penalties  in  an 
1:  uin  community,  and  their  Master  Breath  in 
their  theology  is  made  to  discharge  the  duties  of 
an  Indian  sachem  or  matchocomoco. 

BUT  whatever  may  be  entertained  of  the  sub- 
stance of  their  deity,  they  have  taken  care  to 
fill  their  paradise  with  every  object  gratifying  ta 
the  sense.  Clear  rivers,  abounding  in  delicious 
fish ;  woods  ever  green  and  affording  a  haunt  to* 
the  deer,  the  elk,  the  wild  turkey  and  the  buf- 
faloe  ;  a  serene  sky ;  beauty  glowing  with  eternal 
youth  unsusceptible  of  decay,  and  presenting  in- 
cessan  ly  virgin  pleasures ;  manhood  strung  with 
a  vigour  untired,  and  renewed  by  enjoyment; 
These  are  the  enviable  qualities  of  the  world  of 
spirits. 

IF  we  believe  the  accounts  of  Smith  and  Be- 
verley,  the  Indians  of  Virginia  were  grossly  su- 
perstitious and  even  idolatrous.  According  to 
them  they  have  a  sensible  representation  of  the 
deity,  whose  titles  indifferently  were  Okee,  J^///- 
opcos,  or  Khvasa,  as  a  sanctuary  for  wrhich  they 
have  erected  temples,  or  quioccasan.  But  if  this 
H 


58  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  were  any  thing  more  than  a  fable  some  traces  of 
.'  it  would  be  found  amongst  the  Ordering  Indians, 

cr  more  particularly  among  the  immediate  de- 
scendants of  this  people.  The  Tuscuroras,  the 
Nanticos,  the  Conoies  and  Tuteloes,  who  with 
other  tribes  emigrated  westward,  would  have 
preserved  some  tradition  "at  least  of  opinions  so 
novel  and  extraordinary. 

"  THEY  do  not  look  on  it  as  one  being,"  says 
Beverley,  "  but  reckon  there  are  many  of  the 
same  nature ;  they  likewise  believe  there  are  tu- 
telar deities  in  every  town."*  This  seems  to  sa- 
vour of  the  heathen  mythology  :  Yet  notwith- 
standing this  he  says : 

ALTHOUGH  they  have  no  set  days  for  per- 
forming the  rites  of  religion,  they  have  a  number 
of  festivals  which  are  celebrated  with  the  utmost 
festivity.  "  They  solemnize  a  day  for  the  plen- 
tiful coming  of  their  wild  fowl,  such  as  geese, 
ducks,  teal,  &c.  for  the  returns  of  their  hunting 
seasons,  and  for  the  ripening  of  certain  fruits : 
But  the  greatest  annual  festival  they  have  is  at  the 
time  of  their  corn  gathering,  at  which  they  re- 
vel several  days  together.  To  these  they  univer- 
sally contribute,  as  they  do  to  the  gathering  of  the 
corn  :  On  this  occasion  they  have  their  greatest 
variety  of  pastimes,  and  more  especially  of  their 
war  dances  and  heroic  songs ;  in  which  they  boast 
that  their  corn  being  now  gathered,  they  have 
store  enough  for  their  women  and  children,  and 
have  nothing  to  do  but  go  to  war,  travel  and  to 
seek  for  new  adventures." 

THERE  is  a  second  annual  festival,  conducted 
with  still  greater  solemnity.  It  commences  with  a 
fast,  which  exceeds  any  thing  of  abstinence 


*  Hist.  Wrg.fa  160, 


VIRGINIA.    . 

known  among  the  most  mortified  hermits*    This     CHAP, 
fast  is  succeeded  by  a  feast.     The  old  fire  is  put  ^     J^;_ 
out,  and  a  new  fire  called  the  drill  fire  elicited  by  * 
the  friction  of  two  pieces  of  wood.     They  sprin- 
kle sand  on  the  hearths,  and  to  make  the  lustra- 
tion complete,  an  emetic  is  taken  by  the  whole 
nation.     At  this  meeting  all  crimes  except  mur- 
der are  pardoned,  and  the  bare  mention  of  them 
afterwards  is  considered  as  disreputable.     At  the 
close  of  this  festival,  which  continues  four  days, 
a  funeral  procession  commences,  the   significa- 
tion of  which  is  that  they  bury  all  the  past  in  ob- 
livion, and  the  criminals  having  tasted  of  the  de- 
coction of  casina  are  permitted  to  sit  down  by  the 
men  they  have  injured. 

THE  ceremony  of  huskanawing  returns  after 
311  interval  of  fourteen  or  sixteen  years,  or  more 
frequently,  as  the  young  men  happen  to  arrive  at 
maturity.  This  is  intended  as  a  state  of  proba- 
tion preparatory  to  their  being  initiated  into  the 
class  of  warriors  and  counsellors.  The  candidates 
are  first  taken  into  the  thickest  part  of  the  forest 
and  kept  in  close  and  solitary  confinement  for  se- 
veral months,  with  scarcely  any  sustenance  be- 
side an  infusion  or  decoction  of  some  intoxicating 
roots.  This  diet,  added  to  the  severity  of  the  dis- 
cipline, invariably  induces  madness,  and  the  fit 
is  protracted  for  eighteen  days.  During  the  pa- 
roxisms  they  are  shut  up  in  a  strong  enclosure, 
called  an  huskanaw  pen,  "  on€  of  which,1"  says 
Beverley,  "  I  saw  belonging  to  the  Pamaunkie 
Indians' in  the  year  1694.  It  was  in  shape  like 
a  sugar  loaf,  and  every  way  open  like  a  lattice 
for  the  air  to  pass  through."  When  their  doctors 
suppose  they  have  drunk  a  sufficient  portion  of 
the  intoxicating  juice,  they  gradually  restore  them 
to  their  senses  by  lessening  the  quantity  of  th£ 
potion,  and  before  they  recover  their  sr.nses  they 


6<J  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  are  brought  back  to  the  town.  This  process  is 
1  intended  to  operate  like  Lethe  on  their  memory. 
"  "  To  release  the  youth  from  all  their  childish 
impressions,  and  from  that  strong  partiality  to 
persons  and  things  which  is  contracted  before 
reason  takes  place.  So  that  when  the  young 
men  come  to  themselves  again,  their  reason  may 
act  freely  without  being  biassed  by  the  cheats  of 
custom  and  education.  Thus  they  also  become 
discharged  from  any  ties  by  blood ;  and  are  esta- 
blished in  a  state  of  equality  and  perfect  free- 
dom, to  order  their  actions  and  dispose  of  their 
persons  as  they  think  proper,  without  any  other 
controul  than  the  law  of  nature."*" 

IN  order  to  have  a  more  accurate  idea  of  the 
H«s  domes-  Indian  we  must  view  him  in  his  domestic  rela- 
ttc  relations  cions,  as  a  member  of  a  social  community.  It 
must  be  granted  that  the  natural  tics  as  well  as 
those  imposed  by  the  artifice  of  society,  hang 
much  more  loosely  about  them  than  the  inhabi- 
tants of  more  civilized  states.  But  if  the  bands 
be  not  strained  as  tight,  they  are  equally  strong ; 
and  their  feelings  not  being  regulated  by  penal 
statutes,  a  silken  thread  binds  them  as  forcibly 
as  a  chain  of  iron. 

MARRIAGE,  or  the  union  of  husband  and  wife, 
stood  precisely  on  the  same  footing  as  amongst 
the  other  American  tribes.  A  man  might  keep 
as  many  wives  as  he  could  support :  But  in  ge- 
neral they  had  but  one,  whom,  without  being 
obliged  to  assign  any  reason,  they  might  at  any 
time  abandon, f  and  immediately  form  a  new  en- 


*  B  ever  Icy )   Virg.  180, 

t  Nothing  appears  to  them  more  repugnant  to  nature 
and  reaSdn  than  the  contrary  system  which  prevails  among 
Christians.  The  Great  Spirit,  say  they,  hath  created  us 


VIRGINIA.  61 

/ 

gagemefit.     The  rights  of  the  woman  are  the     CHAP. 
same  with  this  difference,  that  she  cannot  marry  _  !> 
again  until  the  next  animal  festival. 

COURTSHIP  was  short,  and  like  their  marriage 
unembarrassed  by  ceremony,  if  the  presents  of 
a  }  ouiig  warrior  are  accepted  by  his  mistress,  she 
is  considered  as  having  agreed  fo  become  his  wifq, 
and  without  any  farther  explanations  to  her  family, 
she  goes  home  to  his  hut.  The  principles  that  are 
to  regulate  their  future  conduct  are  well  under- 
stood.  He  agrees  to  perform  the  more  laborious 
duties  of  hunting  and  fishing;  of  felling  the  tix-e, 
erecting  the  hut,  constructing  the  canoe,  and  of 
fighting  the  enemies  of  the  tribe.  To  her  cus- 
tom had  asigned  almost  all  the  domestic  duties ; 
to  prepare  the  food ;  to  watch  over  the  infancy  of 
the  children.  The  nature  of  their  lives  and  cir- 
cumstances added  another,  which  with  more  pro- 
priety, taken  in  a  general  view,  should  have  been 
exercised  by  the  male.  It  belonged  to  the  wo- 
men to  plant  the  corn,  and  attend  all  the  other 
productions  of  an  Indian  garden  or  plantation. 
But  the  labour  required  for  raising  these  ar: 
was  trifling,  and  the  warriors  being  engaged  m 
hunting  and  war,  had  neither  leisure  nor  incli- 
nation to  attend  to  objects  of  such  inferior  con- 
sideration. 

To  compensate  for  this  seeming  hardship  or 
neglect,  the  women  had  several  valuable  privi- 
leges, that  prove  their  importance  and  the  respect 


all  to  be  happy  ;  and  we  should  offend  him  were  we  to  iive 
in  a  perpetual  state  of  constraint  and  uneasiness. 

This  system  agrees  with  what  one  of  the  Miamis  said  to 
one  ot  our  missionaries.  My  wife  and  I  were  continually  at 
variance  j  my  neighour  disagreed  equally  with  his  j  we  have 
changed  -wives,  and,  are  all  satisfied. 

RaynaTa  History  of  America? 


,(£>  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     entertained  for  them  by  the  men.  All  the  ftonours 

g^ of  an  Indian  community   are  maternal,  and   the 

"  children,  in  the  event  of  a  separation,  belong  to 
the  wife.  The  husband  is  considered  only  as  a 
visitor;  and,  should  any  difference  arise,  he  takes 
up  his  gun  and  departs  :  Nor  does  this  separation 
entail  any  disgrace  upon  the  parties. 

IF  any  crittit  be  due  to  the  accounts  of  our  early 
Influence  of  historians,  the  women  in  the  Powhatan  contede- 
ihe  women.  racy  had  considerable  weight.  Some  of  the  tribes 
had  even  female  sachems,  a  regulation  which 
could  not  have  been  tolerated  by  freemen  and 
warriors  if,  as  has  been  imagined  by  some  histo- 
ans,  they  had  been  regarded  only  as  objects  of 
contempt  and  ill  usage.  What  agitation  and  sor- 
row were  not  excited  by  the  death  of  Poca- 
hontas,  and  how  anxious  the  inquiries  of  her  fa- 
mily respecting  her  health  and  her  feelings,  her 
content  and  her  return  ;  and  in  what  a  touching 
strain  of  sublime  and  unaffected  eloquence  does 
the  Shawanese  chief  describe  the  murder  of  his 
wives  and  his  children.* 

IT  appears  by  the  same  account  that  there  was 
a  considerable  vehemence  and  ardour  of  desire 
among  the  Virginians.  Powhatan  had  several 
yowig  wives;  and  as  the  strongest  inducement 
which  could  have  been  held  out,  he  proposed  to 
captain  Smith,  as  a  reward  for  betraying  James- 
town into  his  hands,  fifty  young  and  beautiful  wo- 
men, independent  of  the  territory  of  Capahowsic. 
THE  climate  of  Virginia  is  favourable  to  the 
tender  impulses  of  desire  ;  and  the  natural  abun- 
dance every  where  scattered  over  this  del'ghtful 
region  left  them  at  leisure  to  resign  themselves  to 
the  indulgence  of  its  delicious  pleasures.  It  was 


*  JVe/e*. 


VIRGINIA.  63 

iio  uncommon  spectacle  to  see  groups  of  young  CHAP, 
women  almost  naked,  frisking  with  wanton  mo- 
desty  in  the  wild  gambols  of  the  dance ;  whilst 
the  'voluptuous  expression  of  their  eyes  and  ges- 
tures invited  to  soft  and  tempting  dalliance.  Even 
the  decent  Pocahontas  did  not  disdain  to  mingle 
in  those  pastimes.  Crowned  with  a  wreath  of 
leaves  and  flowers,  she  sometimes  led  the  cho- 
rus and  presided  in  the  dance.*  Nor  should  this 
be  regarded  as  a  deviation  from  the  rules  of  mo- 
desty and  innocence.  They  acted  agreeably  to 
the  usage  of  their  country  and  the  dictates  of  na- 
ture. Every  object  inspired  happiness  and  con- 
tent, and  their  only  care  was  to  crowd  as  many 
pleasures  as  possible  into  the  short  span  of  a  fieet- 
ing  existence. 

THE  other  domestic  relations  were  attended 
with  few  of  those  tender  endearments  common 
in  other  states.  An  Indian  warrior  disdained  to 
submit  in  anywise  to  the  weakness  and  impotence 
of  sensibility.  He  hears  with  an  unmoved  coun- 
tenance the  death  of  his  father  and  children,  and 
even  the  ruin  of  his  nation.  Education  teaches 
him  the  meanness  and  folly  of  being  affected  by 
any  reverses.  But  though  he  submits  in  silence 
and  seeming  resignation,  his  soul  is  torn  with 
sorrow.  This  is  still  more  true  of  the  other  sex. 
The  women,  though  they  disdained  to  cry  out  in 
the  pains  of  labour,  or  even  in  the  agonies  of 
death,  are  often  inconsolable  for  the  death  of  a 
friend,  son  or  husband,  and  every  day  visit  their 
graves. 

THE  political  condition  of  the  Indians  of  Vir- 
ginia, like  that  of  all  the  Indians  of  North  Ame- 
rica, was  still  more  extraordinary.  Their  rights 


*  'See  Vol.  I.  and  Bcterky 


64  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  were  so  ample  as  scarce  to  have  any  limits;  their 
duties  so  limited  as  hardly  to  have  any  existence : 
Yet  at  first  view  their  government,  with  its  appa- 
ratus of  cockarouse,  werowances  and  sachems, 
has  the  appearance  of  regal  government ;  and 
the  opinion  that  the  authority  was  hereditary, 
and  that  there  is  an  exact  mode  of  defining  the 
descent  would  argue  a  fixed  and  regular  tyranny. 
IN  order  to  have  clear  ideas  on  this  subject,  we 
should  clivest  ourselves  of  all  attention  to  names* 
An  Indian  sachem  had  no  attributes  in  common 
with  a  king :  Yet  whenever  we  hear  of  a  sachem 
or  werowance  we  are  apt  to  associate  the  idea  of 
icgal  authority.  The  sachem  amongst  all  the 
tribes  was  a  magistrate  either  hereditary*  or  elec- 
tive, according  to  their  various  customs :  But  in 
ail  cases  without  tribute,  revenue  or  authority. 
His  duty  was  invariably  to  stay  at  home,  whilst 
the  war  chief,  who  was  elected  for  his  merit,  was 
fighting  at  the  head  of  his  warriors ;  to  preside 
in  the  great  council,  where  he  had  but  a  single 
voice ;  and  in  the  absence  of  the  warriors  to 
watch  over  the  safety  of  the  aged,  the  women  and 
children,  an  office  of  so  little  estimation  that 
amongst  several  of  the  tribes  it  was  frequently 
filled  by  women. 


*  They  must  be  of  an  age  fit  to  govern  ;  and  if  the  he- 
reditary chief  is  not  of  age,  they  choose  a  regent,  who  has 
all  the  authority,  but  who  exercises  it  in  the  name  of  the 
minor.  In  general  these  chiei's  do  not  receive  any  great 
marks  of  respect,  and  if  they  are  always  obeyed,  it  is  be- 
cause they  know  how  far  their  commands  will  have  force. 
It  is  true  also,  that  they  entreat  or  propose  rather  than  com- 
mand, and  that  they  never  exceed  the  bounds  of  the  little 
auihority  they  have  ;  thus  it  is  reason  that  governs  ;  and  the 
government  is  the  more  effectual  as  the  obedience  is  more1 
voluntary  ;  and  that  there  is  no  fear  of  its  degenerating  into 
tyranny.  Cawer'9  History  cf  *4mcrica}  fiagc  18.- 


VIRGINIA;  e 

A  FACT  in  confirmation  of  this  is  related  by    CHAP. 
Charlevoix.    A  female  chief  of  one  of  the  tribes 
of  the  Hurons  made  repeated  attempts  in  council 
to  procure  the   admission   of  a  Christian  mis- 
sionary, but  without  success. 

NOR  is  it  the  sachem  only  that  is  without  power 
in  those  singular  communities :  There  is  nothing 
like  what  we  conceive  of  authority*  any  where 
among  them.  Even  the  great  council  of  the  na- 
tion can  do  nothing  but  by  advice  or  persuasion, 
and  every  individual  is  at  liberty  to  refuse  obedi- 
ence to  its  dtcisions. 

EVEN  in  war  there  is  no  such  thing  as  an  im- 
perative direction  from  a  general  to  his  soldiers: 
Yet  notwithstanding  this  uncontrolled  licence, 
the  advice  of  the  chiefs  is  scarcely  ever  rejected. f 

MUCH  is  said  in  our  early  historians  of  the  ty- 
ranny of  Powhatan,  yet  not  a  single  fact  is  brought 


*  This  body  of  counsellors  or  assistants  is  the  first  of  all ; 
the  second  is  that  of  the  elders ;  that  is  to  say,  of  all  who 
have  attained  the  age  of  maturity.  I  never  could  learn  ex- 
actly what  this  age  is  :  The  last  is  that  of  the  warriors  ;  it 
comprehends  all  that  are  able  to  bear  arms.  This  body  has 
often  at  its  head  the  chief  of  the  nation,  or  of  the  village  ; 
but  he  must  have  distinguished  himself  first  by  some  brave 
action,  otherwise  he  is  obliged  to  serve  as  a  subaltern,  that 
is  to  say,  as  u  common  soldier,  for  there  is  no  rank  in  the 
armies  of  the  savages. 

Carver's  History  of  Amerca,  /uzgc  19. 

t  A  great  party  may  indeed  have  severa1  chitfs,  because 
they  give  this  title  to  all  those  who  have  ever  commanded  ; 
but  they  are  not  the  less  subject  to  the  commander  of  the 
party,  a  kind  of  general  without  character;  without  real  au- 
thority, who  can  neither  reward  nor  punish  ;  whose  soldiers 
may  leave  him  when  they  please,  without  his  having  a  right 
to  say  any  thing  to  them  on  that  account,  and  who  neverthe- 
less is  scarce  ever  contradicted.  So  true  is  it,  that  amongst 
men  who  govern  themselves  -by  reason,  and  are  guided  bj 


66  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  forward  in  support  of  the  assertion.  Opechancaf-' 
_.  K  {  }  iiough  was  said  to  have  been  jealous  of  Nematta-» 
now;  ytt  he  had  no  means  of  ridding  himselt  of 
this  warrior.  The  speech  of  Okaning,  a  young  In- 
dian without  title,  is  an  evidence  of  the  free  and 
manly  character  of  their  thinking.  The  Poto- 
macs  and  the  Eastern  Shore  Indians  refused  to 
take  part  in  the  massacre,  although  they  were  so- 
licited by  Opechancariough  :  Japazaws,  when  ask- 
ed by  the  same  chief  to  kill  Kaleigh  Crawshaw,- 
politely  refused,  although  the  request  was  backed 
by  a  present  of  beads  and  copper.  But  it  is  use- 
less to  multiply  proofs  when  not  a  single  act  of 
severity  is  specified;  nothing  beyond  vague  and 
unsupported  assertion. 

THE  order*  and  deportment  of  an  Indian  as- 
sembly would  not  have  disgraced  the  gravity  and 
dignity  of  a  Roman  senate ;  and  the  effect  pro- 
duced upon  a  spectator,  who  is  unacquainted 
with  their  language  and  even  prejudiced  against 
them,  is  in  the  highest  degree  impressive.  JNor 
is  this  effect  produced  by  the  grandeur  of  archi- 
tecture or  the  splendor  of  dress.  The  council  is 


honour  and  a  zeal  for  their  country,  independence  does  not  de- 
stroy subordination;  and  that  a  free  and  voluntary  obedience  is 
gent  rally  the  most  to  be'depended  on  :  For  the  res  the  quail* 
ties  required  in  a  war  chief,  are  to  be  fortunate,  brave  and 
disinterested.  It  is  not  strange  that  they  should  obey  without 
difficulty  a  man  in  whom  these  three  characters  are  known 
to  be  united.  Carver  *s  History  of  America,  fiage  19. 

*  Nothing  is  more  edifying  than  their  behaviour  in  their 
public  councils  and  assemblies  Every  man  <s  heard  there  in 
his  turn,  according  as  his  years,  his  wisdom,  or  his  services 
to  his  country  Jiuve  ranked  him.  Not  a  whisper  is  heard  from 
the  rrst  while  he  speaks;  no  indecent  condemnations;  no 
ill  timed  applause.  The  younger  sort  attend  ior  their  iu- 
struction.  British  Jbrnjiirc  in  America,  vol.  2,  page  35 1  • 


VIRGINIA. 

a  large  sqaure  space  covered  with  rough  boards ; 
and  the  counsellors  dirty  savages  wrapped  in  skins 
and  coarse  blankets.  It  arises  from  the  patience, 
the  temper,  the  animation,  the  regularity,  and  even 
the  eloquence  of  their  action  and  deportment. 
There  we  witness  no  impatience  nor  contradic- 
tion ;  no  ebullitions  of  passion  ;  no  bursts  of  rage 
and  invective ;  no  factious  intrigues.  The  whole 
subject  is  fairly  and  honestly  before  them,  and  it 
is  discussed  with  the  patient  judgment  of  sages 
and  the  animated  integrity  of  patriots.  An  in- 
terruption would  be  considered  as  an  unpardona- 
ble insult :  Perhaps  it  would  not  be  too  much  to 
say  that  there  never  was  any  such  thing  known  as 
an  interruption  in  an  Indian  assembly. 

BEVERLEY  relates  a  story,  which  shews  that 
the  Virginians  entertained  the  same  sense  of  de- 
corum as  the  more  northern  tribes.  In  the  time 
of  Bacon's  rebellion  a  deputation  of  Indians  was 
sent  to  treat  for  peace  with  the  English  in  New- 
Kent.  In  the  midst  of  his  talk  the  speaker  be- 
ing interrupted  by  one  of  his  companions,  he  in- 
stantly took  his  tomahawk  from  his  belt  and  split 
his  head.  "  The  Indian  dying  immediately  up- 
on the  spot,  he  commanded  some  of  his  men  to 
carry  him  out,  and  went  on  again  with  his  speech 
where  he  left  off  as  unconcerned  as  if  nothing  had 
happened."* 

THERE  remains  one  question  to  be  discuss- 
ed of  considerable  interest,  as  well  from  its  real 
importance,  as  from  the  various  speculations  and 
conjectures  to  which  it  has  giv~n  birth. 

WHO  were  the  ancestors  ol  this  people?  It 
would  be  idle  to  repeat  all  the  unnatural  opinions 
which  have  been  advanced  on  this  head.  Either 


*  Page  194. 


8  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     they  came  from  the  north  of  Europe  and  the  north* 
*•         eastern  part  of  Asia;  *  or  they  were  placed  here 
from  the  beginning  of  the  world. 

WHATEVER  offence  it  may  give  the  pious,  the 
latter  opinion  would  be  certainly  the  most  rea- 
sonable if  there  had  been  no  strong  presumption 
to  the  contrary.  The  striking  affinity,  however, 
between  the  Indian  languages  and  that  spoken  on 
the  eastern  part  of  the  ancient  continent ;  the  simi- 
larity between  the  customs  and  manners  of  both 
afford  strong  presumption  that  they  were  origi- 
nally the  same  people  ;  and  when  it  be  considered 
to  what  a  remote  and  high  antiquity  navigation 
may  be  traced  in  the  old  world ;  and  that  not  a 
single  vessel  of  more  dignity  than  a  canoe  has 
ever  been  discovered  in  the  new,  it  amounts  to 
something  little  short  of  certainty. 

THE  late  voyages  of  the  Russians  and  English 
have  discovered  that  the  continents  of  Asia  and 
America  were  separated  by  a  narrow  streight,  if 
ii  deed  they  are  not  united.  The  Esquimaux,  on 
the  other  hand,  manifestly  betray  in  dress,  ap- 
pearance and  language  their  descent  from  the  in- 
habitants of  Greenland  :  So  that  all  the  objections 
arising  from  the  difficulties  of  alongvo\agt  in  the 
infanc)  of  navigation  are  removed;  and  two  safe 
and  convenient  points  of  communication  area  t  once 
laid  open  for  the  route  of  the  original  emigrants. 

BUT  the  principal    stream   in  all  probability 


*  The  cruel  method  of  scalping  enemies  is  practised  by 
all  the  savages  of  America,  and  perhaps  is  not  the  least 
proof  of  their  original  from  the  northern  inhabitants  of 
Asia.  Among  the  ancient  Scythians  it  was  constantly  used* 
who  carried  about  these  hairy  scalps  as  trophies  of  their 
victory.  They  served  them  as  towels  at  home  and  as  trap- 
pings for  their  horses  abroad 

Byrd's  Journal,  MSS.  pen: 


VIRGINIA.  69 

flowed  from  the  north-eastern  extremity  of  Asia: 
All  the  tribes  from  Cape  Horn  to  the  southern  ex- 
tremity  of  Labrador,  exhibiting  one  uniform  ap- 
pearance, and  a  strong  resemblance  in  their  cus- 
toms and  manners  to  the  rude  inhabitants  of  those 
regions. 

I  AM  aware  that  by  excluding  the  agency  of 
navigation ;  by  resting  on  the  contiguity  of  the 
continents,  1  leave  the  principal  question  indispute. 
The  Americans  could  have  passed  this  strei^ht 
with  the  same  facility  as  the  Kamskadales.  But 
the  Asiatic  inhabitants  had  every  inducement  to 
emigrate  :  The  Americans  none.  The  one  were 
as  it  were  imprisoned  in  as  avage,  dreary  and  fro- 
zen corner  of  the  earth.  To  them  the  produc- 
tions of  the  earth  were  scanty,  and  its  aspect  de- 
solate and  melancholy  :  The  ethers  were  the  in- 
disputed  lords  of  an  immense  continent,  fanned 
by  gentle  gales;  loaded  with  the  fragance  of  in- 
numberable  flowers.  The  soil  spontaneously  and 
liberally  yielded  her  productions,  and  the  care- 
less and  happy  race  feasted  on  the  luxuries  which 
cost  them  nothing.  Is  it  credible  that  the  rich 
champaignes  of  South  and  North  America  would 
have  been  abandoned  for  the  sterile  and  horrid 
wilderness  of  Kamshatka  and  Siberia  ?  What 
possible  motives  can  be  assigned  for  such  a 
change?  Mr.  Jefferson,  a  name  of  high  authority, 
appears  to  think  that  the  reverse  of  this  reasoning 
is  the  fact.  The  arguments  on  which  his  opinion 
are  founded  are  too  striking  to  be  passed  over  in 
silence. 

"Bur  imperfect,"  says  he,  "  as  is  our  know- 
ledge of  the  tongues  spoken  in  America,  it  suf- 
fices to  discover  the  following  remarkable  fact. 
Arranging  them  under  the  radical  ones  to  which 
they  may  be  palpably  traced,  and  doing  the  same 
of  the  red  men  of  Asia,  there  will  be  found  twen- 


70  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  ty  in  America  for  one  in  Asia :  and  those  radic?! 
languages  so  called,  because,  if  they  vvei<  ever 
the  same,  they  have  lost  ail  resetnbhmce  to  one 
another.  A  separation  into  dialects  may  be  the 
work  of  a  few  ages  only,  but  for  two  dialect-,  to 
recede  from  one  another  till  they  have  lost  all  ves- 
tiges of  their  common  origin  must  require  an  im- 
mense course  of  time,  perhaps  not  less  than  ma- 
ny people  give  to  the  age  of  the  earth.  A  greater 
number  of  those  radical  changes  of  language  hav- 
ing taken  place  among  the  red  men  of  America, 
proves  them  of  greater  antiquity  than  those  of 
Asia.1' 

BUT  independent  of  the  serious  objections  to 
which  this  hypothesis  is  exposed,  may  not  the 
disproportion  between  the  radical  tongues  spoken 
by  the  Americans  and  the  red  men  of  Asia  be 
accounted  for  in  a  different  way  ?  The  astonish- 
ing population  of  the  old  world  is  something 
more  faanprima  facie  evidence  of  its  antiquity. 
But  there  is  no  need  of  resorting  to  this  analogy. 
Immense  bodies  of  people  huddled  together  in  a 
small  space ;  agitated  by  war  and  predatory  in- 
cursion, would  naturally  resort  to  confederacies 
for  protection.  Such  is  the  origin  of  the  great 
nations  of  the  old  continent.  With  the  loss  of 
liberty,  the  attachment  of  the  conquered  states  to 
their  language  would  become  every  day  weaker, 
and  the  language  of  the  conqueror  be  insensibly 
diffused  over  a  number  of  dialects  first  corrupted 
and  finally  forgotten.  From  the  infinitely  greater 
population,  those  confederacies  must  have  taken 
place  in  the  old  world  much  sooner  than  in  the  new, 
ev<  n  though  they  had  started  at  the  same  time. 
The  sweater  the  extent  of  country,  whose  popula- 
tion is  in  the  inverse  ratio  of  ilsextent,  the  fewer  and 
less  powerful  are  their  motives  for  confederacies. 
As  the  danger  became  more  pressing,  the  weaker 


VIRGINIA:  71 

states  would  continually  be  falling  in  until  two     CHAP, 
gnat  nations  were  formed,  or  as  we  often  find  in 
hibtory ,  till  both  became  united  by  fraud  or  con- 
quest. 

bn  ALL  tribes  disperse* over  an  immense  con- 
tinent may  always  remove  when  their  neighbours, 
become  troublesome.  But  where  considerable 
nations,  as  in  Europe,  are  enclosed  in  a  confined 
territory  ;  shut  in  on  every  side  by  mountains  or 
the  sea,  they  must  fight  or  be  enslaved;  and  alli- 
ances are  theribrc  courted  with  a  solicitude  pro- 
portioned to  the  danger. 

THE  tew  radical  tongues  in  Europe  and  Asia 
must  then  be  ascribed  to  the  great  extent  of  the 
states  into  which  they  are  divided  ;  and  it  is  rea- 
sonable to  inter  that  a  greater  number  of  radical 
tongues  once  exibted  in  them,  which  have  perish- 
ed, owing  to  trie  innumerable  revolutions  which 
have  bo  often  changed  almost  the  natural  appear- 
ance of  those  countries.  How  few  of  the  ancient 
languages  have  descended  to  us,  even  of  those 
nations  which  were  once  great  and  powerful.  We 
know  nothing  of  the  Assyrian,  the  Babylonish, 
the  Median;  nothing  of  the  innumerable  tribes 
that  originally  went  to  compose  them,  though 
doubtless  man)  of  them  had  distinct  and  radical 
tongues  ;  and  had  it  not  been  ior  the  protection 
given  to  letters  in  Constantinople,  and  the  taste 
and  curiosity  of  the  Arabian  conquerors,  we  had 
probably  known  as  little  of  the  Greek  and  the 
Roman.  In  iact,  we  know  it  has  always  been 
the  policy  of  the  conqueior  to  introduce  his  lan- 
guage, laws  and  manners  into  the  conquered 
states.  The  attempt  of  the  Norman  was  nearly 
successful  in  England,  and  that  of  Elizabeth  in 
Ireland,  notwithstanding  the  strength  and  anti- 
quity of  those  nations. 

THE   route  of  ttie  Mexicans  will  aiTord  some 


T2  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  ground  of  conjecture  as  to  the  first  settlement 
*•  of  this  state,  and  of  all  the  country  extending  to 
the  confines  of  Labrador.  According  to  their  tra- 
ditions America  was  originally  possessed  by 
small  independent  tribes,  resembling  in  their 
lives  and  manners  savages  in  their  rudest  form  ; 
"  That  about  a  period  corresponding  to  about  the 
beginning  of  the  tenth  century  of  the  Christian 
sera,  several  tribes  moved  in  successive  emigration 
from  unknown  regions  towards  the  west  and 
north  -west,  and  settled  in  different  provinces  of 
Anatuac,  the  ancient  name  for  New  Spain.  These 
more  civilized  than  the  original  inhabitants,  be- 
gan  to  form  them  to  the  arts  of  peace.  At  length 
towards  the  commencement  of  the  thirteenth  cen- 
tury, the  Mexicans^  a  people  more  polished  than 
any  of  the  former,  advanced  from  the  borders  of 
the  Caiiiornian  gulph  and  took  possession  of  the 
plains  adjacent  to  the  great  lake,  near  the  centre 
of  the  country."  A  print  has  been  published  by 
Gemelli  Carreri,  copied  from  a  Mexican  painting, 
of  the  original  route  of  their  ancestors.  In  this 
the  various  stations  as  they  advanced  are  laid 
down ;  and  it  is,  says  Dr.  Robertson,  the  same 
route  they  must  have  held  if  they  had  been  emi- 
grants from  Asia. 

A  MORE  intimate  knowledge  of  the  Indians  at 
the  back  of  our  settlements  would  in  all  probabi- 
lity have  enabled  us  to  mark  the  streams  of  emi- 
gration to  Virginia,  and  even  to  the  confines  of 
Labrador.  Unfortunately  for  science  the  history 
of  this  people  has  always  been  considered  too  un- 
ir.i[,ortant  to  attract  our  attention  and  we  must 
cc;;; tent  ourselves  with  the  imperfect  lights  de- 
rived from  conjecture  and  analogy.* 

*  I  sh  ill  not  erter  into  any  inquiry  about  the  origin  of 
languages  spoken  by  the  Delaware*  and  Ircquois  j  this  being 


VIRGINIA.  73 

IT  is  fair  to  presume  that  the  independent 
tribes,  unable  to  contend  with  the  numbers  and 
unwilling  to  adopt  the  manners  of  those  invaders, 
continued  to  retire  until  they  gradually  spread 


at  present  as  difficult  to  determine  as  the  origin  of  the  na- 
tions themselves,  but  will  only  observe  that  it  seems  very 
probable  that  the  Delaware  and  Iroquois  are  the  principal 
languages  spoken  throughout  the  known  part  of  North  Ame- 
rica, Terra  Labrador  excepted,  and  that  all  others -are  dia- 
lects of  them.  Our  missionaries  at  least,  who  are  particu- 
larly attentive,  have  never  met  with  any  which  had  not  some 
similitude  with  either  one  or  the  other;  but  the  Delaware 
language  bears  no  resemblance  to  the  Iroquois. 

Though  the  three  different  tribes  of  the  Delawares  have 
the  same  language,  yet  they  speak  different  dialects.  The 
Unarms  and  Wunalacbtikos,  who  formerly  inhabited  the 
eastern  coast  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  nearly  agree 
in  pronunciation,  but  the  dialect  of  the  Monsys,  who  for- 
merly lived  in  Minissing  beyond  the  Blue  Mountains,  dif- 
fers so  much  from  the  former  that  they  would  hardly  be 
able  to  understand  each  other  did  they  not  keep  up  a  con- 
tinual intercourse. 

The  language  of  the  Delawares  has  art  agreeable  sound 
both  in  common  conversation  and  public  delivery.  The 
dialect  spoken  by  the  Unarms  and  WunaLchtikos  is  peculi- 
arly grateful  to  the  ear,  and  much  more  easily  learnt  by  an 
European  than  that  of  the  Monsys,  which  is  rougher  and 
spoken  with  a  broad  accent.  However,  the  Monsys  dialect  is- 
a  key  to  many  expressions  in  the  Unamis  and  Wunalachti- 
kos.  The  latter  have  a  way  of  dropping  some  syllables,  so 
that  without  a  knowledge  of  the  former  it  would  be  im- 
possible either  to  spell  their  words  or  guess  their  meaning. 

The  pronunciation  of  the  Delaware  language  is  in  gene- 
ral easy,  only  ct  is  a  very  strong  guttural.  The  letters  f, 
v,  ph  and  r,  are  wanting  in  thtir  alphabet.  They  there- 
fore omit  them  entirely  in  foreign  words,  and  pronounce 
them  differently,  for  example,  Pilipp  for  Philip,  Peletus 
for  Petrus,  Plisciila  for  Priscilla.  They  have  few  mony- 
syllables,  but  a  great  number  of  pollysyllables  or  compound 
•words. 

In  trisyllables  the  accent  is  generally  placed  on  the  mid- 
dle and  in  poUysyllables  upon  the  last  but  one.  This  must 

A* 


74  HISTORY  OF 

themselves  beyond  the  Alleghany,  the  lakes,  and 
even  to  the  borders  of  the  Atlantic.  If  any  atten- 
tion be  paid  to  the  following  stories,  we  have  the 
route  of  two  emigrations  from  Mexico ;  the  one 
into  Virginia,  the  other  by  the  Missouri  and  Illi- 
nois into  Canada. 

Ou$  first  historians  state  that  Opechancanougli 
came  a  great  way  from  the  south-west,  according 


be  very  minutety  attended  to,  because  the  sense  of  many 
words  depend  entirely  on  the  accent. 

We  have  already  observed  that  several  other  languages 
derive  their  origin  from  the  Delawares,  and  this  proceeds 
thiefly  from  the  vicinity  or  connexions  of  the  different  na- 
tions. For  instance  the  language  of  the  Mahikans  is  nearly 
related  to  the  Monsy  dialect,  these  two  nations  having  for- 
merly been  neighbours  in  the  province  of  New  York.  The 
Shawanese  Is  also  related  to  the  Monsy,  but  more  so  to  the 
jMahikans,  only  the  former  generally  place  tlit?  accent  on 
the  last  syllable.  The  Ottawa  is  nearly  related  to  the  Shaw- 
anese, but  the  Ghipawa  more  immediately  to  the  Delaware. 
The  language  of  the  Twichtwees  and  Wawiachtcnos  re- 
sembles the  Shawafiese  in  dialect ;  the  Kickapus,  Tukach- 
shas,  Maskkos  and  Kaskaski  differ  from  the  Delaware  in 
proportion  to  their  distance  from  each  other,  but  are  all 
nearly  related  :  Thus  also  the  language  of  all  those  nations 
formerly  residing  on  the  sea  coast  in  Maryland  very  much 
i'esemb<e  the  Delaware,  differing  only  in  pronunciation 
and  accent. 

The  Iroquois  have  one  common  language,  but  each  of 
the  Srx  Nations  speak  a  different  dialect,  however  they  un- 
derstand one  another  with  ease.  The  Mohawk,'  Oneida 
and  Onandago  vary  but  little,  the  Cayuga  rather  more  ;  then 
follows  the  Sencku,  and  last  ot  all  the  Tuscarora.  The 
languages  of  many  other  Indian  na'ions  are  nearly  related 
to  the  Iroquois,  especially  the  Huron  which  seems  to  differ 
only  in  piv.nur.cia  ion.  But  tin.  Ciierokees  speak  a  compound 
of  Shawanese,  Iroquois,  tiurons  and  others. 

All  these  languages,  however,  are  ->ubject  to  inovatrons 
owing  to  the  intercourse  of  the  different  tribes  or  their  con- 
nexion wiih  the  Europe-tins.  A  mixed  language  was  thus 
framed  by  the  intenua-  ryine;  of  the  French  and  Indians  in 
Canada)  which  was  countenanced  by  the  French  government. 


VIRGINIA; 

to  their  conjecture  from  Santa  Fe,  the  mines  of  St. 
Barbe,  or  some  province  bordering  on  thtr  Mt-xi- 
can  empire.  The  other  relation  is  to  be  found  in 
Charlevoix  >s  travels.  According  to  the  informa- 
tion of  an  Indian  of  the  Otchagra  tribe. 

"  ABOUT  two  years  ago,  some  Spaniards,  who 
came  (as  they  say )  from  New  Mexico,  intending 
to  get  into  the  country  of  the  Illinois,  and  drive 
the  French  from  thence,  whom  they  saw  with  ex- 
treme jealousy  approach  so  near  the  Missouri, 
came  down  this  liver  and  attacked  two  villages 
of  the  Octotatas,  who  are  the  allies  of  the  Ajoues, 
from  whom  it  is  also  said  they  are  derived.     As- 
these  savages  had  no  fire  arms  and'were  surprized> 
the  Spaniards  made  an  easy  conquest,  and  killed 
a  great  many  of  them.     A  third  village,  which 
was  not  far  off  the  other  two,  being  informed  of 
what  had  passed,  and  not  doubting  but  these  con- 
querors would  attack  them,  laid  an  ambush  into 
which  the  Spaniards  heedlessly  fell.     Others  say, 
that  the  savages  having  heard  that  the  enemy  were 
almost  drunk  and  fast  asleep,  fell  upon  them  in 
the   night.     One  of  the  Otchagra  chiefs  (adds 
Charlevoix)  shewed  me  a  Catalan  pistol,  a  pair  of 
Spanish  shoes,  and  I  know  not  what  drug,  which. 
seemed  to  be  a  sort  of  ointment,  a  part  of  the 
spoil  taken  on  this  occasion." 

How  many  facts  of  this*  nature  might  have 
been  preserved  if  eve*n  a  slight  attention  had  been 
bestowed  on  this  subject,  and  what  advantages 
would  not  result  from  such  an  inquiry.  We 
might  see  the  cradle  of  Indian  population,  and 
the  language  of  the  founders  of  this  people :  We 
might  observe  the  successive  emigrations,  and 
mark  the  changes  of  dialect  in  each  :  We  might 
compare  those  several  dialects  with  each  other 
and  with  the  modier  tongue.  Charlevoix  judi- 
piously  remarks  that  the  languages  of  nations  a£» 


76  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,    ford  the  best  proof  of  their  origin.     We 

*•     _  have  an  opportunity   of  comparing  the  Mexican 
"  tongues  with  those  spoken  on  the  north  of  Asia, 
and  decide  a  question  in  the  highest  degree  inter- 
esting to  a  knowledge  of  the  globe  and  its  inha- 
bitants. 

As  it  is,  we  know  scarcely  any  thing  on  this 
subject.  We  have  been  for  two  centuries  inti- 
mately conversant  with  the  Indians  of  Virginia, 
and  yet  perhaps  there  is  not  a  single  man  ac- 
quainted with  the  language  of  the  Powhatans  ;  u 
few  wretched  remnants  of  tribes  once  numerous 
and  warlike  still  exist  amongst  us,  and  no  effort 
is  made  to  snatch  from  extinction  a  record  so  cu- 
rious, and  which  would  one  day  prove  so  valu- 
able. 

IT  is  suggested  by  an  American  historian  that 
three  radical  languages  prevail  throughout  North 
America:  The  Sioux,  the  Huron  and  the  Al- 
gonquin ;  that  by  an  acquaintance  with  the  two 
latter,  a  person  may  travel  one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred leagues  without  an  interpreter,  for  though 
each  nation  has  a  particular  idiom,  yet  he  can 
make  himself  understood  by  all ;  even  amongst 
the  Indians  of  New  England  and  Virginia. 
Those  to  the  south  of  the  St.  Laurence  as  lar  as 
Virginia,  speak  the  Huron. 

Another  I  SHALL  subjoin  another  speculation  on   this 

speculation  head  by  the  author  of  the  British  empire  in  North 
America. 

THERE  have  been  many  conjectures,  says 
Wynne,  concerning  die  origin  of  the  different 
nations  of  Indians  in  America,  it  being  taken  for 
granted  that  they  are  emigrants  from  some  other 
country.  But  as  the  Indians  are  very  careful  and 
solicitous  to  hand  down  their  history  from  father 
to  son,  the  account  they  give  of  themselves  seems 
most  deserving  of  credit.  The  Hurons  and  six 


VIRGINIA. 


77 


confederated  nations,  and  all. the  other  tribes  to 
the  southward,  except  the  Chickesaws,  agree  thai 
they  came  from  the  setting  of  the  sun  into  this 
country.  The  Chickesaws  came  from  South 
America  since  the  Spaniards  took  possession  of 
it.  The  Indians  on  the  great  lakes  north  of  the 
river  St.  Laurence,  and  those  between  that  river 
and  the  bay  of  Fund)  and  quite  to  Hudson's  Bay, 
northward,  except  the  Esquimaux,  assert  that 
they  came  from  the  northward." 

M.  LE  PAGE  DU  PRATZ,  being  extremely  de- 
sirous to  inform  himself  of  the  origin  of  the  Ame- 
rican nations,  was  continually  enquiring  of  the  Another, 
old  Indians  concerning  it,  and  was  at  last  so  for- 
tunate as  to  meet  with  an  old  man,  belonging  to 
the  nations  of  the  Jazous,  called  Moncucht-ape, 
\vho  was  a  man  of  sense  and  genius,  and  hav- 
ing been  possessed  with  the  same  curiosity  as 
himself,  had  spared  no  pains  nor  fatigue,  to 
get  information  of  the  country  from  whence 
the  north  American  nations  came.  With  this 
view  he  travelled  from  nation  to  nation,  hoping 
to  discover  the  country  from  whence  their  fathers 
had  come,  or  to  approach  so  near  it  as  to  get 
some  sure  intelligence,  and  more  particular  tradi- 
tions concerning  their  origin.  In  this  expedition 
he  spent  eight  years,  and  M.  Le  Page  du  Pratz 
having  insinuated  himself  into  his  good  graces 
by  all  sorts  of  kindness,  had  from  hira  the  fol- 
lowing account : 

"  HAVING  lost  my  wife  and  children,  I  re- 
solved to  travel  in  order  to  discover  our  original 
country,  notwithstanding  all  the  persuasions  of 
my  parents  and  relations  to  the  contrary. 

44  I  TOOK  my  way  by  the  High  Grounds  that 
are  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  St.  Louis, 
that  I  might  only  have  the  river  Oubach  to  i 
in  order  to  join  the  Illinois  at  the  village  of  Ta- 


78  HISTORY  OF 

GHAP.  maroua,  a  considerable  settlement  of  the  Cana- 
1  dian  French.  As  the  grass  was  short  1  arrived 
there  in  a  little  time.  1  staid  there  eight  days  to- 
rest  myself,  and  then  continued  my  route  along- 
the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  Su  Louis,  a  little 
above  the  place  where  the  river  Missouri  faili> 
into  it. 

"  I  THEN   made  a  raft  of  canes  or  reeds  and 
crossed  the  river  St.  Louis,  and  when  1  was  near 
the  opposite  shore  I  suffered  my  raft  to  be  carried 
down  the  stream  till  I  came  to  the  conflux  of  the 
two  rivers.     Here  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing* 
the  rivers  mix,  and  of  observing  how  clear  the 
waters  of  the  river  St.  Louis  are  before  they  re*- 
ceive  the  muddy  streams  of  the  Missouri*     I 
landed  here  and  travelled  along  the  north  sid£ 
of  the  Missouri  for  a  great  many  days,  till  at  last  I 
came  to  the  nations  of  the  Missouris.     Witl* 
them  I  staid  a  considerable  time,  not  only  to  re- 
pose myself  after  rny  fatigue,  but  also  to  leani 
their  language,  which  is  spoken  or  understood 
by  a  great  many  nations.     In  this  country  one- 
scarce  sees  any  thing  but  large  meads,   above 
a  day's  journey,  and  covered  with  large  cattle* 
The  Missouris  seldom  eat  any  thing  but  flesh; 
they  only  cultivate  as  much  maize  as  will  serve 
for  a  change,  and  prevent  their  being  cloyed  with 
beef  and  game,  with  which  their  country  abounds* 
During  the  winter  which  I  spent  with  them,  the 
tiiiow  fell  to  the  depth  of  six  feet.     As  soon  as 
the  winter  was  over,  I  resumed  my  journey  along 
the  banks  of  the  Missouri,  and  travelled  tilt  I 
came  to  the  nation  of  the  west    There  I  was  told 
that  it  was  a  long  journey  to  the  country  from 
whence  both  they  and  we  came,  that  I  must  yet 
travel  during  the  space  of  a  moon  (a  month)  to- 
wards the  source  of  the  Missouri ;  that  then  I 
should  turn  to  the  right  and  go  directly  north. 


VIRGINIA.  79 

and  at  the  end  of  a  few  days  I  should  meet  with 
another  river,  which  ran  from  east  to  west,  quite 
contrary  to  the  course  of  the  Missouri.  Then  I 
might  fall  down  this  river  at  my  ease  upon  rafts> 
until  I  came  to  the  nations  of  the  Loutres  or  Ot- 
ters, where  I  might  rest  and  receive  more  ample 
and  particular  instructions. 

4<lN  pursuance  with  these  directions  I  travelled 
up  the  Missouri  during  a  month,  being  afraid  of 
turn  ing  to  the  right  too  soon,  when  one  night  af- 
ter I  had  kindled  my  fire  and  was  going  to  rest, 
I  perceived  some  smoke  at  a  distance  to  wards  the 
place  where  the  sun  sets.  I  immediately  concluded 
that  this  was  a  party  of  hunters,  who  purposed 
to  pass  the  night  there,  and  that  probably  they 
might  be  of  the  nation  of  the  Loutres.  I  imme- 
diately made  towards  them,  and  found  about 
thirty  men  and  some  women.  They  seemed  to  be 
surprized,  but  received  me  civilly  enough.  We 
could  only  understand  one  another  by  signs.  After 
I  had  been  with  the  m  three  days,  one  of  the  wo- 
men  being  near  her  delivery,  she  and  her  husband 
left  the  company  in  order  to  return  home  by  the 
easiest  road,  and  took  me  along  with  them. 

0VVE  travelled  up  the  Missouri  seven  easy 
days'  journey,  and  then  went  directly  north  for 
five  days,  at  the  end  of  which  time  we  came  to  a 
river  of  very  fine  clear  water.  When  we  came 
to  the  place  where  the  hunters  had  left  their  ca- 
noes, we  all  three  embarked  in  one  of  them  and 
fell  down  the  river  until  we  came  to  their  village. 
I  was  very  well  received  by  them,  and  soon  found 
that  this  was  indeed  the  nation  of  the  Loutres, 
\vhich  1  was  in  quest  of:  I  spent  the  winter  with 
them,  and  emplo}ed  ni)  self  in  learning  their  lan- 
guage, which  they  told  me  was  understood  by  all 
the  nations  which  lay  between  them  and  the  great 
water. 


80  HISTORY  OF 

"  THE  winter  was  scarce  ended  when  I  em- 
barked in  a  canoe  with  some  provisions,  a 
pot  to  cook  them,  and  something  to  lie  on,  and 
descended  the  river.  In  a  little  time  I  came  to  a. 
very  small  nation,  whose  chiefs  happening  to  be  on 
the  bow,  bluntly  demanded,  Who  art  thou  ?  What 
business  hast  thou  here  with  thy  short  hairs?  I 
told  him  my  name  was  Moncht-ape ;  that  I  came 
from  the  nation  of  the  Loutres.  tie  saw  plainly 
that  I  was  not  one  ol  the  nation,  and  wondered 
at  my  speaking  the  language.  1  told  him  that  I 
had  learned  it  of  an  old  man  whose  name  was 
Salt- tear.  He  no  sooner  heard  the  name  of  Salt- 
tear,  who  was  one  of  his  friends,  than  he  invited 
me  to  stay  in  the  village  as  long  as  I  would.  Up- 
oil  this  i  landed  and  told  him  that  Salt  tear  had 
ordered  me  to  see  an  old  man  whose  name  was 
the  Great  Roe  buck.  This  happened  to  be  the 
father  of  the  chief:  He  ordered  him  to  be  called, 
and  the  old  man  received  me  as  if  1  had  been  his 
own  son.  and  led  me  to  his  cottage.  The  next  day 
he  informed  me  of  every  thing  I  wanted  to  know* 
and  told  me  1  should  be  very  .hospitably  received 
by  all  the  nations  between  them  and  the  great 
waters,  on  telling  them  I  was  the  fs  lend  of  |Jie 
Great  Roe  buck.  1  only  staid  there  t\§o  d-iys 
longer :  1  then  put  on  board  my  canoe  a  store  of 
provisions,  prepared  from  certain  small  grains 
less  than  French  peas,  which  afforded  an  excel- 
lent food,  and  immediately  embarked.  I  con- 
tinued to  sail  down  the  river,  not  staying  above 
a  day  with  each  nation  on  the  way. 

"  The  last  of  these  nations  settled  about  a  day's 
journey  from  the  sea,  and  about  the  race  of  a 
man  (near  a  league)  from  the  river.  They  con- 
cealed themselves  in  the  woods  for  fear  of  the 
bearded  men.  I  was  received  by  them  as  if  I 
had  been  ons  of  their  own  countrymen.  They 


VIRGINIA.  81 

are  continually  upon  their  guard,  on  account  of 
the  bearded  men,  who  do  all  they  can  to  ciury  oft' 
young  people,  without  doubt  to  make  them 
slaves.  They  told  me  these  bearded  men  were 
whiles,  and  had  long  black  beards,  which  fell  down 
upon  their  breast ;  that  their  bodies  were  thick, 
and  short ;  that  their  he.  ds  were  large  and  cover- 
ed with  stuffs ;  that  they  were  always  clothed, 
even  in  the  hottest  seasons,  and  that  their  clothes 
reached  to  the  middle  of  their  legs,  which,  as 
well  as  their  feet,  were  also  covered  with  red  or 
yellow  stuffs ;  that  their  weapons  made  a  great 
noise  and  a  great  fire ;  and  that  when  they  saw 
the  red  men  (the  natives)  were  more  numerous 
thaji  themselves,  they  retired  to  a  great  canoe,  (a 
small  ship  without  doubr)  which  contained  about 
thirty  of  them.  They  added  that  these  strangers 
come  from  the  place  where  the  sunsets  (trie,  west) 
in  quest  of  a  soft  yellow  wood,  which  yields  a 
yellowish  liquor  of  a  fine  smell,  and  which  dyes 
a  fine  yellow  colour;  and  that  observing  they" 
came  every  year  as  soon  as  winter  was  over  to 
fetch  this  wood,  they  had,  according  to  the 
advice  of  the  old  men,  cut  down  and  destroyed 
all  the  trees,  since  which  time  they  have  not  beet* 
so  often  troubled  with  the  visits  oi  these  bearded 
men ;  but  that  they  still  visited  every  year  two 
adjacent  nations,  who  would  not  imitate  their  po- 
licy, because  the  yellow  wood  was  the  only  wood 
their  count*  y  produced,  and  that  all  the  neigh- 
bouring  nations  had  agreed  to  arm  and  join  toge* 
ther  the  approaching  summer,  in  order  to  de- 
stroy those  bearded  men  at  their  next  coming, 
and  rid  the  country  of  them.  As  I  had  seen  fire 
arms  and  was  not  afraid  of  them,  and  as  the  route 
they  purposed  to  take  was  the  way  to  the  nation, 
I  was  in  quest  of,  they  proposing  my  going  along 


82  HISTORY  OF 


with  them,  I  was  readily  agreed,  and  as  the 
mer  came  I  marched  with  the  warriors  of  the  na- 
tion to  the  general  rendezvous.  The  bearded 
mvn  came  later  than  usual  this  year.  While  we 
waited  for  them  the  natives  shewed  me  the  place 
where  they  used  to  lay  their  great  canoe  (the  ship), 
It  was  between  two  high  and  long  rocks,  which 
forn.ed  the  mouth  of  a  shallow  river,  the  banks 
whereof  were  covered  with  yellow  wrood.  It  was 
agreed  to  lie  in  ambush  for  the  bearded  men,  and 
that  when  they  were  landed  and  weie  busy  in  cut- 
ting the  yellow  wood,  we  should  rise,  surround 
them  ai>d  cut  them  off.  At  the  end  of  seventeen 
days  two  great  canoes  appeared,  and  they  came 
to  'their  usual  place  between  the  rocks.  The  fkst 
thing  the  bearded  men  did  after  their  arrival  (for 
there  were  two  men  privately  placed  upon  the 
rocks  to  observe  (hem)  v.  as  to  fill  certain  wooden 
vessels  with  water.  At  the  end  of  the  fourth 
day  they  landed  and  went  to  cut  the  wood.  They 
had  no  sooner  began  to  cut  than  they  were  at- 
tacked on  ail  sides,  but  notwithstanding  our  ut- 
most efforts  we  kihed  but  eleven,  all  the  rest 
fied  to  their  little  canoes  and  gained  their  great 
ones,  which  soon  launched  into  the  great  waters 
and  disappeared.  Upon  examining  the  dead  1 
found  them  to  be  less  than  we  are  and  veiy  white  ^ 
their  bodies  very  thick  and  their  heads  very 
large.  About  the  middle  of  their  head  their 
hair  was  1<  ng. 

"  THEY  wore  no  hats  as  you  do,  but  had  their 
heads  bound  ab  ut  with  a  great  deal  of  some  sort 
of  btuff  Their  clothes  were  neither  of  wool  or 
buck,  but  of  something  like  your  old  shirts,  very 
soli  and  fine  and  of  different  colours  (silk  with- 
out doubt).  The  covers  of  their  legs  and  feet 
were  all  of  a  piece.  1  endeavoured  to  put  on  one 
of  them,  but  my  feet  were  too  large*  Of  the 


VIRGINIA:  §3 

eleven  that  were  killed  only  t\vo  of  them  had 
arms,  powder  and  ball.  I  tried  these  pieces,  and 
found  that  they  did  not  cany  as  far  as  your's. 
Their  poavder  was  mixed  of  three  sorts  of  grain, 
large,  middle  and  fine ;  but  the  large  made  the 
.greatest  part.  The^e  were  the  remarks  I  made 
upon  the  bearded  men,  after  which,  leaving  the 
warriors  with  whom  I  came,  to  return  home ,  I 
joined  those  nations  who  were  settled  upon  the 
coast  farther  to  the  west,  and  we  followed  the  coast 
which  is  directly  between  the  north  and  the  west. 
When  we  came  to  these  settlements  I  observed 
that  the  days  were  a  great  deal  longer  than  with 
us,  and  the  nights  very  short.  I  asked  them  the 
reason  of  it,  and  they  could  give  me  none.  I 
rested  with  them  a  considerable  time.  Their  old 
men  told  me  that  it  was  in  vain  for  me  to  proceed 
farther.  Tht\  said  that  the  coast  extended  itself 
yet  a  great  way  between  north  ai-.d  west,  and  that 
it  afterwards  turned  short  to  the  west,  and  having 
run  for  a  considerable  distance  it  was  cut  by  the 
sea  directly  from  north  to  south.  One  added, 
that  at  low  water  one  might  see  easily  rocks  and 
shallows  in  the  channel  which  hud  formerly  b<  en 
dry  land.  They  all  joined  to  dissuade  me  from 
travelling  any  further.,  assuring  me  th  it  the  coun- 
try was  cold  and  desart,  destitute  of  annuals  or 
inhabitants,  and  advised  me  to  re* urn  to  my 
-own  count-  y.  I  accordingly  took  their  novice, 
and  returned  home  by  the  way  that  1  came." 
Such  is  the  account  Moncht  ape  gave  of  his  tra- 
vels, and  M.  Le  Page  du  Pratz  observes,  that 
the  g«/od  sense  and  probity  of  the  man  left  him 
but 'little  room  to  doubt  of  the  truth  of  it.  tie 
also  thinks  it  probable  that  the  bearded  men  ire 
the  inhabitants  of  some  isle  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Japan.  The  distance  in  a  straight  lire  iroin 
the  Yazcus  to  the  farthest  nation  Monchc-ape  vi- 


84  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  sited  upon  the  shores  of  the  north-western  ocea\i, 
according-  to  the  best  estimate  M.  Du  Pratz  could 
make,  from  die  number  of  his  days' journies  and 
rate  of  travelling,  seems  to  be  about  an  hundred 
leagues." 

IT  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  state  the  ground 
Ground  of   of  the  opinion  in  favour  of  a  Welsh  discovery  of 
'°a  America.     It  is  extracted  from  the  manuscript 
/Weteh^   journal  of  colonel  William  Byrd,  who  in   17i£7 
original*       was  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  on  the 
part  oi  Virginia  to  decide  the  long  contested 
question  respecting  limits  between  Virginia  and 
Carolina.     The  writer  visited  the  Tuscarora  set- 
tlement, and  received  the  tradition  in  the  midst 
of  this  people.     It  is  but  justice  to  add  that  he 
was  a  man  of  admirable  capacity  and  of  the  most 
pointed  regard  to  veracity  and  honour. 

''  THIS  tradition,  altho'  much  alter'd  by  Jbe- 
ing  handed  down  through  so  many  generations, 
might  have  come  originally  from  a  colony  of  an- 
cient Britons,  who  some  centuries  ago  left  their 
own  country  and  were  driven  to  America.  These 
strangers,  after  several  migrations,  settled  at  last 
among  the  Tuskeruda  Indians,  under  the  name 
of  the  Doegs.  This  clan  retain'd  the  British  lan- 
guage till  the  year  1060,  as  appears  by  the  certifi- 
cate oi  a  Welsh  clergyman,  who  had  been  among 
thtm.  This  reverend  gentleman's  name  was 
Morgan  Joi.-es,  \\ho  wrote  the  following  accptmt, 
of  which  there  is  no  reason  to  doubt  the  truth,, 
the  same  having  been  since  confirmed  by  other 
travellers. 

"  THESE  PRESENTS  may  certify  all  persons 
whatsoever,  that  in  the  )ear  1660,  *  I  being  then 
an  inhabitant  of  Virginia,  and  chaplain  to  ma- 
jor general  Bennet  of  Nansemund  county,  the 
said  general  Bennet  and  sir  Wiiiiam  Berkeley 
sent  two  ships  to  Port-Royal  in  Carolina,  which 


VIRGINIA. 

is  sixty  leagues  to  the  southward  of  Cape  Fear ; 
and  I  was  sent  therewith  to  be  their  minister. 

"  UPON  the  8th  of  April  we  set  out  from  Vir- 
ginia, and  arrived  at  the  harbour's  mouth  of 
Port  Royal  the  19th  of  the  same  month,  where 
we  waited  for  the  rest  of  the  fleet  that  was  to 
sail  from  Barbados  and  Barmuda,  with  one  Mr. 
West,  who  was  to  be  deputy  governor  of  the 
said  place.  As  soon  as  the  fleet  came  in,  the 
small  vessels  that  were  with  us  sailed  up  the  river 
to  a  place  call'd  the  Oyster  Point. 

"  THERE  I  continued  about  eight  months,  all 
which  time  being  almost  starv'd  for  want  of  pro- 
visions, I  and  five  more  travelled  through  the  wil- 
derness till  we  came  to  the  Tuscarora  country: 
There  che  Tuscarora  Indians  took  us  prisoners, 
because  we  told  them  we  were  bound  for  Roan- 
oke :  That  night  they  carry 'd  us  into  their  town, 
and  shut  us  up  close  by  ourselves,  to  our  no 
small  dread. 

4<  NEXT  day  they  enter 'd  into  a  consultation 
about  us,  which,  after  it  was  over,  their  inter- 
preter told  us,  that  we  must  prepare  ourselves  to 
die  next  morning. 

"  WHEREUPON,  being  very  much  dejected, 
and  speaking  to  this  effect  in  the  British  tongue  : 
"  I  have  escapt  so  many  dangers,  and  must  I 
"  now  be  knockt  on  the  head  like  a  dog  ?"  Then 
presently  an  Indian  came  to  me,  which  I  found 
afterwards  was  a  war  captain,  belonging  to  the 
sachim  of  the  Doegs  (whose  original  I  find  must 
needs  be  from  the  old  Britons,)  and  took  me  up 
by  the  middle,  and  told  me  in  the  British  tongue 
I  should  not  die,  and  thereupon  he  went  to  the 
emperor  of  Tuscarora,  and  agreed  for  my  ransom 
and  the  men  that  were  with  me. 

"  THEY  then  welcomed  us  to  their  town, 
and  entertain'd  us  very  civilly  and  cordially  four 


16  HISTORY  OF 

CHAR  months ;  during  which  time  I  had  the  opportunity 
of  conversing  with  them  familiarly  in  the  British 
language ;  and  did  preach  to  them  three  times  a 
week  in  the  same  language:  And  they  would 
usually  confer  with  me  about  any  thing  that  was 
difficult  therein ;  and  at  our  departure  they  abun- 
dantly supply'd  us  with  whatever  was  necessary 
to  our  support  and  well  being. 

44  THEY  are  seated  upon  the  Pontigo,  now 
called  Pamptico  river,  not  far  from  Cape  Atros, 
or  Hatteras.  This  is  a  brief  recital  of  my  travels 
among:  the  Doeg  Indians. 

MORGAN  JONES,  the  son  of 
John  Jones,  of  Basaleg,  near 
New- Port,    in  the  county    of 
Monmouth. 
New  York,  March  10th,  1685—6. 

4r  P.  S.  I  am  ready  to  conduct  any  Welshman, 
or  others  to  the  country." 

44  THESE  Doegs  were  probably  the  descend- 
ants of  those  Cambro  Britons,  who  in  ihj  year 
1170  quitted  their  country,  and  sail'd  away  to 
America,  under  the  conduct  of  Madoc  ap  Owen 
Gwineth,  a  prince  of  Wales." 

ACCORDING  to  Beverley,  the  Indians  of  Vir- 
ginia, beside  the  dialects  peculiar  to  the  several 
tribes,  had  a  general  language  which,  like  the 
Algonquin  of  Canada,  was  used  in  treaties  and 
important  national  concerns.  This  was  said  to 
be  the  language  of  the  Ocaneeches,  which,  since 
the  coming  of  the  English  was  one  of  the  least 
considerable  tribes  in  the  confederacy.  A  compari- 
son between  these  languages  would  possibly  have 
proved  this  to  have  diffi  red  little  from  the  Algon- 
quin. 1  find  not  the  name  of  this  tribe  in  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son's enumeration:  The  Richahecrians  mentioned 
in  the  second  volume,  are  also  omitted,  althougji 


VIRGINIA.  $7 

their  existence  is  authenticated  by  an  act  of  as-     CHAP. 
scmbly.     He  takes  no  notice  of  the  Kahuanaws  __ 
noticed  by  Golden  in  his  history  of  the  Five  Na- 
tions :   But  after  all,  these  may  have  been  only 
different  names  of  some  of  the  tribes  he  has  enu- 
merated. 

I  HAVE  at  length  brought  to  a  close  a  discus- 
sion, according  to  my  judgment  of  great  im- 
portance :  but  to  which  the  limits  of  this  work 
do  not  allow  all  the  attention  it  merits.  It  was 
oiiginally  prepared  in  a  more  extensive  form  for 
a  history  of  the  United  States,  and  has  doubtless 
lose  much  of  its  spirit  and  connection  by  a  hasty 
abridgement. 


THE  following  passages,  omitted  by  mis* 
take,  in  their  proper  places,  are  subjoined  as 
tending  to  enforce  some  positions  in  the  narra- 
tive. 

SPEECH  OF  SHEGANABA,  AN  INDIAN  CHIEF. 

A  YOUNG  American,  named  Field,  was  taken 
prisoner  by  the  Shawanese  Indians.  At  the  con- 
ciiibion  ol  peace,  he  was  delivered  up  by  Shcga- 
naba,  an  Indian  chief,  to  the  American  commis- 
sioners at  Fort  Pitt.  A  fowling  piece  was  pre- 
sented Si icgunaba,  who  on  tLkin^  it  addressed 
the  commissioners  in  the  following  speech : 

"  CAN  a  man  deserve  reward  for  merely  do- 
ing h.s  duty  :  But  as  you  give  it  I  will  receive  it; 
and  it  any  of  your  people,  should  come  into  my 
country,  eithu  ltd  by  curiosity,  or  driven  by  the 
hard  hand  of  the  conqueror,  he  siia.il  be  treated 
with  the  same  kindness  as  young  Field.  And  I 
tell  you  trus  witn  a  tongue  that  never  sported 


HISTORY  Of 

with  truth  since  it  has  known  that  falsehood  was  # 
crime ;  and  I  confirm  it  with  a  hand  that  never 
shed  one  drop  of  blood  in  peace,  nor  ever  spared 
an  enemy  in  battle. " 


VIRGINIA;  89 

"  THE  Indians  of  Virginia  are  almost  wasted,  CHAP, 
but  such  towns  or  people  as  retain  their  names 
and  live  in  bodies,  are  here-under  set  down ;  all 
which  together  can't  raise  five  hundred  fighting 
men.  They  live  poorly,  and  much  in  fear  of  the 
neighbouring  Indians.  Each  town  by  the  arti- 
cles of  peace,  1677,  pays  three  Indian  arrows  for 
their  land,  and  twenty  beaver- skins  for  protection 
every  year. 

"  IN  Ace o mack  are  eight  towns,  viz.  Matom- 
kin  is  much  decreased  of  late  by  the  small  pox, 
that  was  carried  thither. 

"  Gingoteque.  The  few  remains  of  this  town, 
are  joined  with  a  nation  of  the  Maryland  Indians. 

"  Kiequotank  is  reduced  to  a  very  few  men. 

*'  Matchopungo  has  a  small  number  yet  living. 

"  Occahanock  has  a  small  number  yet  living* 

"  Pungoteque.  Governed  by  a  queen,  but  a 
small  nation. 

'•  Oanancock  has  but  four  or  five  families. 

"  Chiconessex  has  very  few,  who  jubt  keep  the 
name. 

"  Nanduye.  A  seat  of  the  empress.  Not  above 
twenty  families,  but  she  hath  all  the  nations  of 
the  shore  under  tribute. 

"  In  Northampton,  Gangascoe,  which  is  al- 
most as  numerous  as  ail  the  foregoing  nations  put 
together. 

"  In  Priiv;e  George,  Wyanoke  is  extinct. 

"  In  Charles  City,  Appamattox  extinct. 

"  In  Surry,  Nottavvayes,  which  are  about  a 
hundred  bow- men,  of  late  a  thriving  and  increas- 
ing people. 

u  By  Nansamond.  Menheering  has  about 
thirty  bow- men,  who  keep  at  a  stand. 

"  Nansamond.  Aboui  thirty  bow-men:  They 
have  increased  much  of  late. 

M 


90  HISTORY  OF 

"  In  King  William's  county,  Pamaunkie,  has 
about  forty  bow.  men.  who  decrease. 

"  Chickahomonie,  which  had  about  sixteen 
bow- men,  but  lately  increased. 

**  in  Kssex.     Rappahannoek,  extinct. 

"  In  Richmond.     Port  Tabago,  extinct. 

"  in  Northumberland.  Wiccomo^.co,  has  but 
few  men  living,  which  yet  ket  keep  up  their  king- 
dom, and  retain  their  fashion  ;  yet  live  by  them- 
selves,  separate  from  all  other  Indians,  and  irom 
the  English." 


A  Theory  of  the  Winds,  extracted  from  the  German 

IT  has  been  generally  remarked  that  those  American 
provinces,  which  lie  in  the  same  latitude  with  Europe,  suf- 
fer a  much  severer  and  longer  winter  than  the  latter.  The 
ir.ost  northern  parts  oi  the  United  States  lie  in  the  same 
degree  of 'latitude  with  Great  Britain  and  the  chief  parts  of 
Germany,  but  the  winter  is  excessively  severe  and  the 
summer  but  short.  Neva  Scotia,  the  north  part  of  New  En- 
gland  arid  the  principal  parts  of  Canada,  are  in  the  same  de- 
gree of  latitude  with  France  and  the  south  parts  of  Germany; 
but  the  winters  of  the  former  are  very  cold  and  1  >ng.  The 
south  part  of  New  England,  New  York  and  the  greatest 
part  oi  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania  and  the  south  part  of  Ca- 
nada, lie  in  the  same  degree  of  latitude  with  Spain  and 
Ita  y  ;  but  the  cold  is  very  severe  and  lasting.  Sometimes 
indeed  the  heal  of  the  summer  is  excessive;  but  sudden, 
changes  from  heat  to  cold  are  frequent.  Maryland)  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina  are  in  the  same  degree  oi'  latitude  with 
the  most  southern  parts  of  Europe;  but  have  much  moru 
frost  and  snow. 

This  severi; y  of  climate  probably  proceeds  from  the 
north  and  north-west  winds  blowing  over  an  immense  tract 
ol  land  covered  with  mountains,  lakes  and  forests  ;  but  the 
•svuiu  o-  inhabitants  and  the  large  forests  contribute  much 
towards  it.  At  the  time  when  Tacitus  wrote  his  history 
of  Germany,  it  appears  that  its  winters  were  much  more 
severe  and  lastiug  than  at  present.  It  is  therefore  probable 
that  the  seventy  of  climate  will  abate  in  America  in  propor- 
tion to  its  culture  and  population. 


VIRGINIA. 

In  the  country  of  the  Datawares  they  have  warm  sum- 
mers, the  hottest  mont'is  are  July  and  August,  w  hen  woolen 
clothes  cannol  be  worn.  Even  in  autumn,  as  late  or  la  er 
than  Christmas,  but  little  frost  is  seen,  and  if  »  ven  in  a  clear 
nig  hi  the  ground  should  freeze,  it  thaws  again  soon  after 
su'i  rise.  In  general  the  winter  is>  mslci  weather,  being 
chiefly,  rainy,  damp  and  changeable  ;  after  a  lew  clear  days 
rainy  and  f>ggy  weather  are  sure  to  follow.  The  river  Mus- 
kingum  being  a  very  slow  current,  generally  freezes  once 
or  perhaps  twice  in  a  season. 

The  snow  is  never  deep  nor  remains  long-  on  the  ground. 
The  winter  between  1779  and  1780  was  called  remarkably 
severe,  as  the  snow  fell  once  two  ieet  deep.  In  eight  days 
it  was  gone,  and  the  cokl  weather  lasted  only  till  Ft  binary. 
In  the  land  of  the  Iroquois  the  col  1  is  more  intense  and  the 
snow  deeper. 

The  difference  of  one  hundred  miles  to  the  north  or  south 
makes  likewise  a  grea1  difference  in  the  temperatire  of  the 
air.  Near  the  river  Sandusky  the  cold  is  much  severer  with 
a  greater  quantity  of  snow,  than  on  the  Muskingum,  and  on 
the  Scioto  ihe  snow  hardly  ever  remains  on  the  ground. 
The  \%ea  her  varies  also  considerably  on  the  east  and  west 
sides  of  the  Allegheny  mountains  :  For  in  Pennsylvania 
the  cast  wind  generally  brings  rain,  but  never  on  the  Ohio, 
where  the  east  wind  seldom  ever  blows,  and  never  above 
12  hours  at  a  time;  but  the  south  and  west  wind  bring  rain, 
and  the  rains  from  the  west  generally  set  in  for  a  whole  week. 

It  even  rains  sometimes  with  a  north-west  wind.  All 
storms  of  thunder  and  lightning  rise  either  with  south-west 
or  north-west  winds  ;  but  in  Pennsylvania  thejiorth-wesfc 
v.'inds  bring  clear  and  fine  weather. 


CHAPTER  II. 


The  project  of  Spotswood  revived  after  his  dis- 
missal.— 'The  removal  of  Spotsivood  accounted 
for. — A  more  particular  account  of  his  project. 
The  Outaivas  and  the  Outagamis. — They  inter- 
rupt the  French  communication  between  the  St. 
Laurence  and  the  Mississippi — Spotswoodivishes 
to  conciliate  them — is  Jrustrated  by  the  timidity 
of  Britain  and  the  wakeful  jealousy  of  France. 
Comparative  view  of  the  French  and  British  co- 
lonies.— Foundation  oj  their  respective  claims. 
Administration  of  Gooch.  Colonial  troops  for 
thejirst  time  serve  out  of  the  continent.  Unsuc- 
cessful attack  on  Carihagena.  Spotswood  ap- 
pointed to  command  the  colonial  troops — He  dies 
in  the  midst  oj  the  preparations — His  character 
— His  humane  policy  towards  the  Indians. — Tus- 
caroras — Their  subjugation.  The  long  contested 
boundary  with  Carolina  adjusted  during  his  ad- 
ministration. Wm.  Byrd — his  journal  oj  this 
liansaction.  Return  oj  Gooch  with  Virginia 
troops.  An  assembly. — Governor's  communica- 
tion.— Burgesses  condole  with  him  on  account  of 
the  unfortunate  expedition  against  the  Spaniards 
— Adjourn  without  making  any  provision  for  the 
objects  recommended  by  t/ie  governor — His  dis- 
appoifitment  and  chagrin.  Spaniards  make  a 
descent  on  Georgia — ttritish  men  of  war  on  sta- 
tion, dispatched  to  her  assistance.  Detection  of 


an  Indian  conspiracy  to  rise  upon  the  whites  — 
Express  with  an  account  of  the  discomfiture  of 
tin-  Spaniards  in  Georgia.  Prodigious  increase 
of  Pennsylvania.  General  Oglethorpe  raises  a 
regiment  In  Virginia.  Account  of  a  skirmish 
between  the  militia  and  Sha-ivanese  in  Augusta. 
Jjcath  and  character  of  commissary  Blair.  Fail- 
ure of  Oglt thorns  attack  on  St.  Augustine. 
^Treaty  at  Lancaster  ratified  by  the  commission- 
ers  of  Maryland,  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania. 
A  proclamation  respecting  impressment.  Death 
oj  William  ttyrd — His  character.  Aspect  of  Eu- 
ropean affairs.  Project  to  impose  a  popish  pre- 
tender— Account  of  this  event  transmitted  to  the 
colomes.  An  assembly. — Governor's  communica- 
tion— Replies  of  council  andburgesses  full  of  loy- 
alty. An  increased  expansion  of  mind  visible 
in  the  communications  of  government  and  the 
newspaper  productions  about  this  time.  The  as- 
sembly close  without  providing  for  objects  recom- 
mended by  the  governor.  Edward  Trelaivny,  go- 
vernor of  "Jamaica,  authorized  to  raise  a  regi- 
ment in  Virginia.  Classic  productions  of  Ame- 
rica?! growth.  Logan's  translation  of  Cicero's 
La  to  Major.  William  Stith's  history.  Address  of 
governor  to  grand  jury  against  Methodists,  Mora- 
vians and  Ne\v  Lights.  Account  of  the  surrender 
of  Louisburg  to  the  New  England  troops.  Libe- 
rality of  Virginia  in  providing  J or  the  'wants  of 
the  victors — of  Pennsylvania — of  the  other 
states.  Account  of  prentender's  arrival  in  Scot- 
land.—  Lovalty  of  council,  burgesses.  Convo- 
cation and 'corpora &  bodies  in  Virginia Session 

closes  to  fits  sniiitMion  of  the  different  branches 
of  government.  Advice  from  Boston  0*  a  pro- 
jected expedition — Goqch  appoint ea  con imander. 
Capnd  burnt— Assembly  converted  at  College. — 


$5 

Attempt  to  remove  the  seat  of  government.— Assembly  re*  CH\P. 
fuse  to  prepare  temporary  accommodations  in  Williams- 
iurg  Dissolved  by  proclamation.  — Writs  issued  for  a 
general  election  —  Assembly.  Governor  recommends  to 
build  on  the  old  foundation.  This  assembly  important  in 
talents  and  character.  Bill  passes  both  houses  for  rebuilding 
capitol  in  Wiiliamsburg*  General  revisal  of  laws.  Go- 
vernor intimates  his  intention  to  leave  the  colony.  Several 
grants  to  adventurers  beyond  the  mountains  Robinson 
president  Dies.  Thomas  Lee  president.  Assembly  pro- 
rogued —  Assembly  petition  that  one  penny  per  pound  be, 
taken  of  from  the  tax  en  tobacco.  Lewis  Burivell  pre- 
sident Assembly  farther  prorogued  — President  permit? 
Ntw  York  company  to  build  a  tkeat  e.  —Assembly  again 
ft  orogited  Robert  Dinuiddie  governor.  Assembly  dis- 
solved. Short  review  of  the  war  in  the  northern  colonits^ 
vind  of  the  state  of  arts  and  science  in  the  other  provinces. 


96 


CHAPTER  IL 


jec»  of 
Spotswood 
revived  af- 
ter his  dis- 
missal. 


The  remo- 
val of  Spots- 
wood  ac- 
counted for. 


THE  project  of  Spotswood,  rejected  during 
his  administration,  was  adopted  after  his  dismis- 
sal. This  gentleman  had  given  offence  to  the  mini- 
stry by  urging  with  too  much  boldness  the  neces- 
sity of  establishing  a  chain  efforts  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  vast  and  fruitful  champaignes  betvveea 
the  Apalachian  mountains  and  the  Mississippi. 
Dia appointed  in  this  expectation  he  demanded  that 
the  people  employed  in  exploring  the  region  be- 
yond the  mountains,  should  receive  compensa- 
tion from  the  British  government.  He  had  un- 
dertaken, as  he  allegtd,  the  expedition*  by  de- 
sire of  the  government,  and  its  success  would  re- 
dound to  the  safety  and  honour  of  the  whole  em- 
pire :  Nothing,  therefore,  he  added,  could  be 
more  just  than  that  its  expense  should  be  defrayed 
by  the  government  of  the  nation.*  But  an  ad- 
vocation  of  colonial  rights  by  a  royal  governor  was 
an  example  equally  offensive  and  alarming;  and 
he  was  replaced  by  Hugh  Drysdale,  who  arrived 
in  1723,  and  whose  administration  would  have 
been  utterly  unknown  but  for  his  signature  to  a 
few  acts  of  assembly. 

OTHER  causes  have  been  assigned  for  the  re- 
moval oi  Spotswood.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
his  intimate  knowledge  of  the  country,  arid  more 
especially  of  its  true  commercial  and  political  in- 


J  Wynne's  British  Empire  in  N.  dm*  -vol.  2.  /*.  238. 


VIRGINIA.  97 

terests  had  rendered  him  obnoxious  to  several     CHAP, 
leading  families  in  Virginia,  whose  private  views  .  _. 

were  frequently  traversed  by  his  projects,  and 
their  importunities  at  length  effected  his  recal.* 

IT  may  not  be  amiss   in  this  place  to  speak  A  more 
something  more  fully  of  this  plan,  whose  accom-   particular 

plishment  was  afterwards  fraught  with  so  many  accountof 
^r  i  i  11         j      i.  •   i   •      his  project, 

eventful  consequences  to  the  world,  and  which  in 

its  operation  lighted  up  a  most  destructive  war  in 
every  quarter  of  the  globe. 

THE  Outawas,*  a  powerful  nation  inhabiting  The  Outa- 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  almost   directly  in  the  wa* 
French  line  of  communication  between  Canada 
and  Louisiana,  were  thought  to  be  well  affected 
to  the  English  interest,  and  it  was  proposed  to 
purchase  from  them  a  tract  of  territory  on  this 
river.  Lower  down,  and  in  the  same  route,  lay  the 
Outagamis,  incensed  against  the  French,  by  recent  And  the 
injuries,  and  prepared  to  embrace  any  measures  .  Outagamii 
calculated   to  gratify  their  revenge,  and  recover 
their  former  reputation  and  prosperity.     They 
were  ia  the  habit  of  intercepting  the  French  par- 
ties  passing  from  Canada  and  Louisiana,  and  their  7hey  ha(J 
ferocious  courage  had  inspired  with  terror  the  ^^i!" lj'e? 
neighbouring  Indians,  who  considered  them  even  communT- 
more  terrible  than  the  warriors  of  the  Five  Na-  cation  be- 
tions.     The  t  rench  perceived  that  the  destruc-  twcen  the 
tion  of  this  people  was  essential  to  the  security  of  St-  Lau- 
their  possessions ;   and  the  conduct  of  the  Outa 
gamis  having  rendered  them  obnoxious  to  all  the 
neighbouring  tribes,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Kickapous  and  Mascontins,  a  confederacy  took 


*   l\  ynne's  British  Empire  in  America,  vol.  2.  fit  238, 

f  Now  called  the  Twightees. 

N 


HISTORY  OF 


SpotswootT 
•wis1  csto 
conciliate 
them 

Is  frustrat- 
ed by  i  he  ti- 
midity of 
Britain  and 
the  jea- 
lousy of 
France. 


place  of  those  tribes  in  conjunction  with  France" 
to  cut  them  off'. 

THE  Outagamis  were  at  this  time  besieging 
Detroit,  for  the  purpose  of  delivering  it  into  the 
hands  of  the  English,  to  whom  they  \vere  favour- 
ably disposed,  when  they  were  attacked  by  a  su- 
perior body  of  French  and  Indians,  and  after 
having  performed  prodigies  of  valour,  were  al- 
most exterminated.  The  nation,  however,  not- 
withstanding its  losses,  could  still  arm  five  hun- 
dred warriors,  and  they  had  lately  united  them- 
selves with  the  Sioux,  the  most  numerous  nation 
belonging  to  Canada,  and  with  the  Chickasaws, 
the  most  powerful  tribe  in  Louisiana.* 

OCCUPYING  thus  the  avenues  of  communica- 
tion, the  Outawas  and  Outagamis,  though  lately 
enemies,  might  have  been  both  by  some  address 
united  in  :t  project  for  repelling  the  encroachments 
of  France.  *  One  part  of  this  plan  had  actually 
been  attempted  by  Spotswoxxi  :f  But  it  was  ren- 
dered abortive  by  the  timidity  of  the  British  go- 
vernment and  the  wakeful  jealousy  of  France. 
lie  proposed,  by  a  great  colonial  force  assisted  by 
European  troops,  to  attack  the  western  Spanish 
settlements,  and  he  doubted  not  by  a  chain  of 
posts  judiciously  chosen,  and  the  friendship  of 
those  Indians,  to  cut  off  all  communication  and 
concert  between  the  French  dependencies  in 
America,  and  immediately  to  gain  possession  of 
the  provinces  of  Spain,  who  was  then  actually  at 
war  with  Great  Britain.  J  Dry  sdule  was  succeeded 
by  Gooch,  a  brigadier  general  on  the  British  esta- 
blishment, who  passed  acts  of  assembly  for  the 
first  time  in  1727. 


Wynnes  British  America,  vol.  1 . 
Ibidem*  \ 


VIRGINIA.  89 

IN  order  to  a  correct  knowledge  of  this  admi-     CHAP. 
iiistration,  it  becomes  necessary  to  speak  some-         n- 
thing  ot  the  French  and  English  colonies;  and" 
th**  views  and  pretensions  ol  those  great  rivals 
respecting  their  territorial  rights  in  North  Ame- 
rica. 

TH  E  English  were  in  possession  of  the  sea  coast,  Compara- 
the  harbours,  the  mouths  and  banks  of  the  rivers  ;  tlve  vicvv 
and  some,  though  a  very  inconsiderable  number, 


had  made  a  few  settlements  at  more  than  one  hun- 


dred  miles  from  the  coast.  The  French  were 
not  possessed  of  an}  sea  coast  or  harbours  on 
the  continent,  properly  so  calJed  ;  but  had  con,. 
lined  their  plantations  to  the  two  great  rivers, 
St.  Laurence  and  Mississippi  ;*  the  one  running 
south  and  the  other  nearly  north,  their  sources 
being  at  no  great  distance  from  each  other,  and 
forming  a  line  almost  parallel  to  the  sea  coast  in- 
habited  by  the  English. 

HERE  was  a  territory  sufficiently  ample  for  all 
the  purposes  of  wealth  and  even  ambition,  if  am- 
bition ever  could  be  satisfied.  But  the  rooted 
spirit  of  rivalship  and  hostility  existing  between 
these  powers  since  the  earliest  times,  sought  out 
pretexts  for  quarrel  even  in  those  remote  i  eg  ions  ; 
and  war  with  all  its  horrors  must  be  transferred 
from  the  desolated  and  drenched  plains  of  die 
old  world  to  stain  the  verdant  bosom  of  the  new. 

THE  French  claims  were  founded  on  a  sup-  Foundation 
posed  discovery  by  La  Salle  of  Louisiana,  in-  of  tb'.ir  re* 
eluding  the  Mississippi  and  its  branches,  and  or. 
the  ro}al  charter.  The  English  charters  extended 
the  Bt  itish  settlements  from  the  Atlantic  ocean  to 
the  South  Sea  ;  a  grant  so  general  as  to  include 
not  only  the  territory  which  was  becoming  the 


*  Wynne's  British  America, 


ICO  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  ground  of  dispute,  but  all  the  French  and  Spa- 
11  nish  possessions  in  North  America.  Those 
grants,  however,  in  their  extensive  signification, 
\iere  v/aved  by  Britain  from  the  actual  absurdity 
and  obvious  impracticability  of  enforcing  them; 
and  their  claims  became  confined  to  the  delight- 
ful country  between  the  Apalachian  mountains 
and  the  Mississippi.  It  was  thought  unneces- 
sary to  speak  of  the  frontier  of  New  York,  the 
Five  Nations  occupying  the  space  between  that 
province  and  Canada;  it  was 'hoped  that  this  con- 
ftdtracy  being  in  close  alliance  with  the  English, 
their  territory  would  be  secure  against  encroach- 
ment. 

FHANCE,  although  for  a  long  time  she  made 
ro  ..vowed  objection  to  this  claim,  proves  by  her 
conduct  an  tarly  determination  to  resist  any  at- 
tempt at  an  actual  settlement  of  the  territory  in 
question ;  and  for  this  purpose  we  find  her  so 
e.riy  as  the  year  1716  erecting  Fort  Frederick, 
called  by  the  English  Crown  Point,  upon  Lake 
Chan;plajn  within  the  territories  of  the  Five  Na- 
tiors.*  This  encroachment  was  noticed  by  the 
f «  ^ <  ruoi  t  of  New  York  ;  but  it  was  not  deemed  of 
feufficie lit  importance  to  be  even  mentioned  by  the 
British  envoys  at  the  treaty  of  Aix  la-Chapelle. 
In '17^1  tht\  built  Fort  Niagara,  between  Lake 
Erie  and  Ontario,  in  the  country  of  the  Senecas, 
by  which  they  completely  secured  the  communi- 
cation between  Canada  and  Louisiana.^  Yet  this 
n tw  aggression  did  not  seem  at  the  moment  to 
have  alarmed  the  British  government  to  a  just 


*  Smith's  History  of  Nciv  York. 

t  The  son  of  the  celebrated  bishop  Burnet. 
\  Wynnes  British  America. 


VIRGINIA. 

sense  of  the  pol'rcy  of  France,  and  we  fin^  that    CHAP, 
in  the  war  of  173^,  entered  into  first  with  Spain         I[ 
and  afterwards  with  the  united  strength  of  the  " 
house  of  Bourbon,   hostilities    were  principally 
carried  on  at  a  distance,  and  the  right  of  France 
to  those  places  was  tacitly  acknowledged  by  the 
treaty  of  Aix-la-Chapelie. 

DURING  the  administration  of  Gooch,  Ame- 
rican  troops  for  the  first  time  were  transported  Colonial 
from  the  continent  to  aid  in  the  offensive  opera-  troop*  for 
tions  against  the  enemies'  islands.     An  attack  on  first  ume 
Carthagena  having  been  determined  on,  the  co-  servcouto* 
lonies  voluntarily   furnished  their  quotas,  who, 
under  the  command  of  the  governor  of  Virginia, 
marched  in  this  expedition,  and  after  its  lailure 
returned  home  and  \veredispersed.* 

AT  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  1739, 
Spotswood,  who  still  lived  retired  in  Virginia,  Spotswood 
was  appointed  to  command  the  colomial  troops ;  aPiJoimed 
and  he  was  farther  gratified  with   an  assurance  ^a^colo- 
that  his  favourite  project  should  be  carried  into  nial  troops, 
immediate  execution.  But  his  death,  which  took 
place   shortly  after  his   appointment,  again   re- 
tarded its  accomplishment ;  and  the  hasty  spark 
of  colonial  spirit  was  permitted  to  bum  out  for 
the  want  of  adequate  support  and  well  concerted 
military  enterprize  from  the  mother  country. 

THE  name  of  Spotswood  has  descended  to  us  ^    deat«n 
with  scarcely  sufficient  alloy  to  constitute  a  hu-  an£j  Charao 
man  character.     Innocent  in  his  private  life ;  un-  tcr.  / 

impeached  in  his  administration  of  government; 
a  friend  to  the  liberties  of  the  colony  without 
losing  sight  of  the  interests  of  the  mother  coun- 
try; a  skilful  and  enterprizing  soldier,  he  ap- 
pears a  star  of  no  ordinary  magnitude  amidst  the 


*  IVynn,  Virg.  Gazette, 


HISTORY  OF 

darkness  with  which  he  is  surrounded.  His  only 
foible  was  the  vanity  of  recounting  his  military 
labours ;  a  foible  for  which  considerable  allow- 
ance should  be  made  when  we  consider  the  unme- 
rited neglect  and  ingratitude  with  which  his  ser- 
vices had  been  rewarded.* 

Too  much  praise  can  scarcely  be  bestowed  on  his 
humane  and  enlightened  policy  towards  the  Indi- 
ans. This  interesting  people,  reduced  in  their  nu  [Fi- 
bers, and  shorn  of  their  savage  glories  by  the  hand 
of  civilization,  found  in  the  governor  a  benificent 
father,  equally  anxious  to  relieve  their  necessi- 
ties and  improve  their  rninds  by  a  knowledge  of 
useful  ftrts  and  religious  instruction.  Professors 
of  pure  lives  and  competent  knowledge  were  sent 
at  the  public  expense  amongst  the  most  conside- 
rable tribes  for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting  a  con- 
stant and  lively  example  before  this  thoughtless 
people.  The  effects,  it  is  true,  did  not  justify 
the  policy  of  this  measure ;  but  this  arose  from 
the  mode  of  instruction  in  use  at  this  time,  and 
the  peculiar  character  of  this  people. 

TH  E  ill  success  of  his  attempts  did  not  deter  him 
from  a  farther  prosecution  of  this  humane  project ; 
and  in  consequence  of  the  Tuscarqraf  massacre  in 


*  He  was  ii>  the  habit  of  shewing  to  his  guests  a  four 
pound  ball  that  struck  his  coat. 

t  These  Indians  were  heretofore  very  numerous  and 
powerful,  making,  within  remembrance,  at  least  one  thou- 
sand fighting  men.  Their  habitations,  before  the  war  with 
Carolina,  was  on  ihe  north  branch  of  New  rivei,  commonly 
called  Connecta  Creek,  in  a  pleasant  and  fruitful  country. 
But  now  the  few  that  are  left  of  that  nation  live  on  the 
north  side  of  Moratuck,  which  is  all  that  part  of  Roanoke 
below  the  Great  Falis,  towards  Albemarle  Sound. 

Formerly  there  were  seven  towns  of  these  savages  lying 


VIRGINIA,  103 

\i  12,  the  tributary  Indians  having  become  ob-  CH\P. 
j(  cts  of  suspicion  to  the  government  of  Virginia, 
Sr^tsnood  demanded  the  children  of  their  sa* 
chtms  as  hostages,  and  had  them  instructed  at 
the  university  of  William  and  Mary  in  the  rudi- 
ments of  English  littranire,  and  afterwards  in 
mechanic  arts  suited  to  their  most  obvious  necessities* 
Ax  the  close  of  his  adminibtration  the  long 
contested  question  respecting  limits  was  adjusted 
by  order  of  the  provisional  council,  between  the 
states  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  This 
transaction  derives  its  chief  interest  from  the 
agrency  of  colonel  William  Byrd,  one  of  the 
commissioners,  whose  journal  of  the  route  and 
proceedings  of  the  mission  executed  in  a  stile  of 


r<y  far  from  each  other,  but  now  their  number  is  greatly  re* 
cluced. 

The  trade  they  have  had  the  misfortune  to  drive  with  the 
English  ha?  furnished  them  constantly  with  rum,  which 
they  htive  used  so  immoderately,  that  what  with  the  distem- 
pers, and  what  with  the  quarrels  it  has  begotten  among 
them,  it  has  proved  a  double  destruction.  But  the  greatest 
consumption  of  these  savages  happened  by  the  war  about 
twenty-five  years  ago,  on  aceoun:  of  some  injustice  the  in- 
habitants of  that  province  had  done  then*  about  their  lands, 

It  was  on  that  provocation  they  resented  their  wrongs 
upon  Mr.  Lawson,*  who,  under  colour  of  surveyor  general, 
had  encroached  too  much  upon  their  territories ;  at  which 
they  were  so  enraged  that  they  way-laid  him,  and  cut  his 
throat  from  ear  to  ear,  but  at  the  same  time  released  the 
baron  of  Graffeneid.  whom  they  had  seized,  because  it  ap- 
peared plainly  he  had  done  them  no  wrong. 

This  blow  was  followed  by  some  other  bloody  actions  on 
the  part  of  the  Indians,  which  brought  on  the  war,  in  which 
many  of  them  were  rut  oft",  and  many  were  obliged  to  flee 
for  refuge  to  'he  Senecas ;  so  that  now  there  remains  so 
iew  that  th«y  are  in  dagger  of  beifig  exterminated  by  the 
Catsbaws,  their  mortal  enemies.  Byrd's  Journal. 

*  Who  has  Ifft  bcMnd  an  account  of  hi*  tr*veb. 


104 


HISTORY  OF 


An  assem- 
bly. 


coin  mum 
eaiicn. 


CHAP,  accuracy,  and  marked  by  a  spirit  of  unaffected 
humour,  that  do  equal  honour  to  his  heart  and 
understanding,  has  descended  to  our  times. 

THE  return  of  Goocli  was  the  signal  for  call- 
ing an  assembly,  and  this  body  convened  at 
the  capitol  agreeable  to  adjournment.  The  late 
unsuccessful  attack  on  Carthagena,  together 
with  the  return  of  the  governor  and  a  number  of 
Virginians,  who  accompanied  him  on  this  expe- 
dition, had  communicated  a  considerable  anxiety 
to  the  colony,  and  the  attendance  of  members 
was  unusally  great.  Immediately  after  they  had 
Governor's  made  choice  of  a  speaker  and  the  other  officers, 
the  governor  called  them  into  the  council  cham- 
ber and  addressed  them  in  a  speech,  which  after 
a  slight  notice  of  the  late  disasters,  as  usual,  re- 
commended various  grounds  for  future  improve- 
ment and  security. 

AFTER  a  few  common  place  observations  up- 
on the  justice  and  necessity  of  the  war  in  which 
his  majesty  was  engaged,  with  a  cunning,  per- 
fidious and  implacable  foe,  he  called  their  atten- 
tion to  the  unprotected  state  of  the  coast  and 
frontier ;  and  he  proposed  to  them  as  an  example 
worthy  of  imitation,  the  paternal  care  and  bounty 
of  the  king,  who  had  commmanded  him  to  ap- 
propriate the  revenue  arising  from  the  duty  on 
tonnage  to  the  purchase  of  powder  and  ball ; 
and  to  cause  the  law  on  this  head  to  be  made 
perpetual.  He  concluded  by  advising  the  repair 
of  forts,  and  the  appointment  of  annual  salaries 
for  officers  and  gunners ;  and  to  keep  I  ort  George 
in  a  constant  posture  of  defence  during  the  war.* 

THE  answer  of  the  assembly  was  polite  and 
affectionate.  After  congratulating  his  excellency 


Virg.  Gazette, 


VIRGINIA.  105 

on  his  safe  return  from  the  dangers  of  the  late    CHAP. 

expedition,  they  concluded  by  expressing  in  ge-  ^ ?!• . 

neral  terms  their  wish  of  co-operating  in  every  "" 
measure  calculated  to  prove  their  attachment  to 
the  king,  the  laws  and  constitution  of  the  coun- 
try. 

BUT   the   assembly,   notwithstanding  the   re-  Assembly 
spectful  and  even  affectionate  language  of  their  make  .no 
address,    shewed   no  disposition  'of   complying  ^objects 
with  the  declared  wishes  of  the  king  and  his  go-  rccom- 
vernor,  notwithstanding  this  governor  was  de-  menued* 
servedly  an  object  of  their  esteem.     In  fact  forts 
had  ever  been  objects  of  aversion  to  the  people 
of  this  colony  since  the  celebrated  memorials  of 
Nicholson,  and  even  from  the  rebellion  of  Ba- 
con.    Their  dislike  to  those  establishments  was 
confirmed  by  their  extreme  frugality  of  the  pub- 
lic money:     A  virtue  which  justified  in  some 
manner  by  their  past  distresses,  began  to  be  re- 
garded here  as  well  as  in  England  as  the  surest 
test  of  legislative   wisdom  and  integrity.     The 
governor  finding  little  prospect  of  accomplishing 
the  objects  recommended,  hastily  adjourned  the 
session,    taking  occasion   previously  to   mingle 
strong  expressions  of  disappoitment  and  regret 
with   some   general   professions  of  respect  and 
courtesy. 

AN  act  was  passed  during  this  session  for  esta- 
blishing the  town  of  Richmond,  and  for  holding 
fairs  for  its  encouragement. 

BEFORE  the  colony  had  time  to  recover  from 
the  apprehensions  excited  by  the  defeat  at  Car- 
thagena,  an  express  arrived  from  the  president  of  Descent  of 
South  Carolina,  with  information  that  the  Spa-  Spaniards 
niards  had,   with  a  considerable  body  of  troops  on  Georgia* 
and  a  large  naval  force,  made  a  descent  on  Geor- 
gia.    A  council  was  immediately  called,  and  it 
O 


HISTORY  OF 


spracy. 


CHAP,     was  unanimously  determined  to  dispatch  cnpta'm 
JS!.  _  Danclridgv,  commander  of  the  houth  Sea  Castle, 

together  with  the  snows  Hawk  and  Swift,  to  the 
assistance  of  general  Oglethorpe.  This  affair 
had  scarcely  been  adjusted  when  a  messenger  ar- 
rived from  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  an- 
Indian  eon-  nouncing  the  detection  of  a  conspiracy  between 
fac  Nanticocks  and  Eastern  Shore  Indians,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Senekas,  to  rise  upon  the 
people  of  Maryland.  This  attempt  wras  sup- 
posed to  originate  in  the  failure  of  a  demand  made 
by  the  Five  Nations,  of  the  lands  west  of  the 
Susquehannah.  This  report  had  communicated 
the  strongest  alarm  in  Maryland,  and  the  govern- 
or and  council  with  their  usual  dispatch  directed 
that  a  considerable  quantity  of  ammunition  should 
without  delay  be  forwarded  to  the  frontiers. 

As  some  consolation  to  these  apprehensions,  a 
courier  arrived  express  from  general  Oglethorpe 
with  intelligence  of  the  entire  failure  and  dis- 
comfiture  of  the  Spanish  invasion  :  The  dis- 
Patcnes  conveyed  the  strongest  censure  against 
the  government  of  South  Carol  ina,  which,  under 
the  pretence  that  all  her  disposable  force  was  ne- 
cessary to  her  owrn  defence,  ;.-b  uidoned  her  neigh- 
bouring sister  to  the  mercy  of  her  enemies.  This 
information  operated  like  a  cordial  on  the  despond- 
ing spirits  of  the  colony.  The  conduct  of  Caro- 
lina was  every  where  the  object  of  reproach; 
whilst  Oglethorpe  and  his  brave  followers  were 
extolled  as  perfect  models  of  colonial  gallantry. 
ABOUT  this  time  an  entire  revolution  was  in- 
sensibly changing  >some  of  the  longest  established 
political  maxims  of  all  the  colonies.  Founded 
ai  different  times,  under  differens  charters,  com- 
pelled by  the  difficulties  incidental  to  a  new  set- 
tlement ~nU  the  hostility  of  the  Indians  to  exert 
their  utmost  means  for  their  own  security,  their 


Spaniards 
GcoMa  " 


VIRGINIA:  107 

growth  was  slow  and  they  felt  little  power  or  in-  CHAP. 
clination  to  contribute  either  men  or  money  to-  _  Ir 
wards  any  plan  of  general  defence,  or  for  the  re- 
lief  of  a  distressed  and  invaded  sister  The  jea- 
lousy of  commercial  competition  aggravated  by 
religious  bigotry,  tended  still  more  to  weaken 
their  attachments  :  We  find  them,  therefore,  in- 
variably either  declining  all  aid  to  each  other,  or 
contributing  with  an  air  so  ungracious,  that  their 
bounty  lost  half  its  value,  as  their  favour  did  half  its 
effect.  A  consciousness  of  their  own  prodigious 
increase  in  strength,  added  to  their  apprehension 


of  French  and  Spanish  encroachment,  induced  a  increase  of 

change  in  this  unwise  and  selfish  policy.     About  Pennsylva« 

this  time  they  began  to  regard  each  other  with  the  nia- 

affection  becoming  children  of  the  same  common 

parent.     But  it  was  not  to  each  other  alone  that 

their  conduct  and  feelings  had  undergone  a  change. 

The  revolution  of  1688  put  an  end  to  the  ini- 

quitous systems  of  coloi.ial  oppression,  devised 

by  Charles  II.  and  carried  into  full  operation  by 

his  weak  and  wicked  successor.   They  saw  them- 

selves snatched  from  the  jaws  of  tyranny  and  su- 

perstition by  the  success  of  William,    ind  bless- 

ed the  hand  of  their  deliverance.     Henceforth, 

new  principles   of   government  more  congenial 

with  the  free  and  hardy  character  of  their  minds, 

began  to  prevail.  Their  legislatures  were  no  longer 

insulted  and  hastily   dissolved  ;   their  citizens  no 

longer  liable  to  arbitrary  arrest.      With  the   ex- 

ception of  some  commercial  restrictions,  and  even 

these  were  generally  regarded  as  doubtfuf  if  not 

legal,  the  conduct  of  England  was  that  of  an  af- 

fectionate and  provident   mother.      No  wonder 

then  that  the  colonies  sympathized  in  her  good 

and  ill  fortune.      No  wonder   that  they  regarded 

with  ail  the  reverence  of  filial  piety  muigicd  with 

a,  buitnnent  of  admiration,  the  venerable  parent 


08  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  who  smote  the  house  of  Bourbon  on  the  land  and 
on  the  waters,  and  spread  every  where  the  lame 
of  English  liberty  and  valour. 

THERE  was  but  a  single  exception  amongst  the 
colonies  to  this  sentiment,  and  perhaps  we  should 
ascribe  this  to  the  peculiar  habits  and  modes  of 
think  ing  amongst  a  particular  religious  sect,  rather 
th  in  to  any  want  of  attachment.  Certain  merchants 
oi  Philadelphia  alarmed  for  the  safety  of  the  frontier, 
and  Irritated  at  what  they  conceived  the  parsimony 
and  obstinacy  of  the  legislature,  who  refused  ta 
contribute  any  thing  to  its  security,  prepared  a, 
petition  to  die  king,  praying  that  some  way 
should  be  devised  for  compelling  the  attention  of 
Pennsylvania  to  an  object  so  important  to  her 
own  safety  and  that  of  the  other  colonies. 

IN  reply  to  this  it  was  urged  by  the  legislature, 
that  in  consequence  of  the  charter  of  privileges 
^  ,1/ied  to  them  by  William  Penn,  their  first  pro- 
]  or,  and  by  an  act  of  assembly  dated  October  4, 
1  ('5,  they  were  exempt  from  all  military  service. 
That  they  had  hitherto  subsisted  without  forts  or 
militia;  that  being  a  peaceable  people,  they  had 
given  no  offence  to  their  neighbours,  and  as  their 
neighbours  had  never  yet  molesteel  them,  they 
apprehended  they  might  hereafter  subsist  in  se- 
curity without  any  military  force. 

IT  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  humane  and  noble 
principles  of  this  argument  cannot  be  justified  by 
the  circumstances  of  the  world.  But  so  long  as 
feud  and  violence  prevail  there  is  no  security  in  the 
most  peaceful  demeanor  and  the  most  upright  in- 
tentions. A  majority  of  the  assembly  which  pre- 
pared this  answer  were  Quakers,  a  sect  whose 
meek  and  inoffensive  manners  and  humane  pre- 
cepts, did  they  universally  prevail,  would  render 
government  superfluous,  and  make  gentle  per- 
suasion and  advice  atchieve  what  has  been  vainh 


VIRGINIA,  10? 

attempted  by  the  injustice  and  wickedness  of  san-     CHAP. 
giminary  penal  statutes.     It  may  not  be  amiss  to 


notice,  whilst  I  am  on  this  subject,  the  prodigi-  1742. 
ous  increase  of  Philadelphia,  an  increase  in  a 
great  measure  to  be  attributed  to  the  principles 
of  the  Quakers,  bequeathed  by  their  founder  and 
preserved  with  a  piety  not  unlike  what  the  Spar- 
tans felt  for  the  laws  of  Lycurgus.  By  a  census 
taken  this  year,  Philadelphia  alone  was  found  to 
contain  seventeen  hundred  houses  and  ten  thou- 
sand inhabitants. 

NOTWITHSTANDING   the  late  failure  of  the 
Spaniards  the   situation  of  the  southern  colony 
was  critical,  and  their  alarm  constantly  kept  alive 
by  the  neighbourhood  of  St.  Augustine.  Inform- 
ation was  daily  brought  to  Oglethorpe  of  the 
great  preparations  going  forward  at  this  port,  and 
the  number  of  ships  of  war  and  land  troops  which 
had  lately  been  seen  entering  its  harbour.  ,  The 
improbability  of  being  able  to  maintain  himself 
against  any  serious  attack  by  the  proper  resources 
of  rhe  infant  settlement,  was  immediately  obvious, 
and  as  the  conduct  of  South  Carolina  had  in- 
spired him  with  a  strong  disgust  to  the  policy  of 
that  colony,  he  turned  his  eyes  to  Virginia  where 
a  more  extensive  population  and  a  quicker  sensi- 
bility to  the  common  interest  and  hononr,  was  sup- 
posed to  offer  a  better  prospect  of  assistance. 
Lieutenant  colonel  Heron  was  therefore  dispatch- 
ed with  an  account  of  the  state  of  affairs,  and 
with  the  drums,  commissioned  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  to  raise  a  regiment  in  Virginia. 
To  render  the  scheme  more  popular,  the  princi- 
ples of  enlistment  were  suited  to  the  wishes  of 
the  people,  who  abhorred  the  perpetual  servitude 
of  an  English  regular.    They  were  to  serve  for 
five  years,  and  be  only  in  America. 


110  HISTORY  OF 

A  CIRCUMSTANCE  oGCinTccl  at  the  time  of  He- 
ron's arrival  attended  with  the  most  fbrtimutc  <  f- 
fects  to  his  project.  Captain  Washington,  with 
a  number  of  officers  and  soldiers  belonging*  to  the 
governor's  regiment  which  had  been  discharged, 
arrived  at  Hampton  ;  and  as  it  is  not  easy  to  lay 
down  the  habits  we  have  once  formed,  and  the 
Georgia  service  was  supposed  to  be  less  severe 
than  that  in  which  they  had  been  engaged,  many 
of  them  enlisted  with  Heron. 

Skirmish  AN  account  arrived  of  a  smart  skirmish  in 
between  Augusta  county  between  colenel  Patten,  at  the 
Shawenese  jieag  of  a  detachment  of  militia,  and  a  party  of 
and  party  tM  T  -,.  ,.,-,,  .  *  / 

of  militia,  khawanese  Indians.  1  he  parties  appear  to  have 
fallen  in  with  each  other  by  surprize.  The  In- 
Pecember.  dians  immediately  halted,  and  at  the  first  fire  kill- 
1742.  e(j  captain  M 'Do well  and  seven  men.  After  this 
acording  to  their  usual  custom,  they  retreated 
about  thirty  yards,  and  after  a  pause  of  ten  mi- 
nutes, when  the  imprudence  of  the  militia  gave 
them  an  opportunity,  they  repeated  their  lire. 
The  conduct  of  the  militia  on  this  occasion  is  al- 
together unaccountable.  Although  they  received 
a  reinforcement  they  were  unwilling  to  pursue, 
and  retired  under  pretence  of  refreshing  them- 
selves. On  their  return  the  next  morning  they 
found  that  the  Indians  had  carried  off  their  own 
dead  and  stript  and  scalped  the  militia,*  This 
intelligence  afforded  the  most  serious  alarm  to 
all  the  frontier  settlements;  and  the  governor 
with  advice  of  council  took  immediate  measures 
for  averting  the  hostility  of  the  Indians,  by  send- 
ing commissioners  amongst  them,  and  in  any 
event  for  repelling  their  future  inroads,  by  send- 


*  Gazettes. 


VIRGINIA.  Ill 

ing  a  sufficient  supply  of  ammunition  to  the  fron- 
tiers. 

ABOUT  this  time  Robert  Dimvirlde  and  Lewis 
Bunvell  were  appointed  ^f  his  majesty's  council 
in  the  room  of  William  Randolph  and  John  Car- 
ter, deceased;  and  Thomas  Nelson,  junr.  ap- 
pointed secretary  in  the  room  of  Carter,  ar- 
rived in  the  colony. 

A E OUT  the  same  time  died  Blair,  aged  eighty- 
eight,  during  sixey  four  yea's  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  fifty-three  years  commissary  of  Virginia, 
president  of  a  college  for  fifty- one,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  king's  council  fifty.  To  considerable 
learning  he  was  thought  to  add  in  an  eminent  de- 
gree the  virtues  of  hospitality  and  generosity  ; 
whilst  his  manners  in  the  discharge  of  his  various 
important  duties  conciliated  the  esteem  and  affec- 
tion of  the  most  opposite  parties  and  opinions. 

MEANWHILE    an   account  arrived   of  the  ill 
success  of  the  attempt  against    St.   Augustine.  Ul'success 
The  plan  of  Oglethorpe  \vhich  seems  never  to  ^inTsL 
have  been  sufficiently   matured,  was  abandoned  Augustine*, 
after  a  short  trial  :   In  a  word,  the  means  were 
found  to  be  *v holly  inadequate  to  the  danger  and 
difficulties  of  the  project.      He  had  neither  ships 
to  blockade  the  port  and  shut  out  supplies,  nor 
cannon  to  batter  the  place,  and  after  having  come 
in  sight  of  the  town,  he  hastily  re-embarked  and 
returnd  to  Georgia  * 

MEANWHILE"  the  apprehensions  excited   by    SistJulf. 
the    late   skirmish   between  the    mi-itia  and  the      *743' 
Shawanese,    was   happily   adjusted  by  a  treatyf   J 


*  Express. 

t   It  appears  by  this  treaty  that  the  main  body  of  the 
Tuscarora  nation  had  not  joined   the  Six  Nations  at  this 


112  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  held  at   Lancaster  in  Pennsylvania.     The  tatfa 

^    **•  of  the    Indian   orators  lasted  fcr   several   days, 

tween  Vir-  The  governor  and  council  of  Pennsylvania,   at- 

ginia,  Ma-  tended  by   the   commfcstoners  of  Virginia  and 

ryland  and  Maryland  on  the  one  side,  on  the  other  the  ora- 
Pcnnsylva-  f  ^     §•      Nations,  having,  with  Conrad 

ma  and  Six  _X7  .  .    .  '    .          &'-    . 

Nations.  Weiser  their  interpreter,  discussed  the  points  in 

dispute,  with  the  order  and  formality  usual  in 
the  ratification  of  treaties,  the  hatchet  was  buried 
and  the  silver  chain  of  friendship  brightened  by 
the  delivery  of  several  belts  of  wampum.* 

A  PROCLAMATION  issued  at  this  time,  con- 
taining  some  particulars  worthy  of  notice.  It 
stated,  by  advice  of  the  lords  of  the  admiralty,  that 
his  majesty's  ships  had  received  considerable  in- 
terruption, owing  to  a  mistaken  notion,  that  the 
act  of  Anne  prohibiting  impressments  in  the  co- 


time,  although  Mr.  Jefferson  and  even  Mr.  Golden  seem  to 
be  of  opinion  that  they  emigrated  so  early  as  the  year  se- 
venteen hundred  and  twelve.  It  appears  too  that  some  fa- 
milies of  the  Conoies  remained  behind. 

There  lives,  said  Casassatgeo,  in  his  address  to  the  Vir- 
ginia deputies,  a  nation  of  Indians  on  the  other  side  of  your 
•ountry,  the  Tuscaroras,  who  are  our  friends,  and  with, 
whom  we  hold  correspondence :  But  the  road  between  us  and 
them  has  been  stopped  for  some  time,  on  account  of  the 
misbehaviour  of  some  of  our  warriors :  We  have  opened  a 
new  road  for  our  warriors,  and  they  shall  keep  to  that  ;  but  as 
that  would  be  inconvenient  for  messengers  going  to  the  Tus- 
caroras, we  desire  they  may  go  the  old  road.  We  frequently 
send  messengers  to  one  another,  and  shall  have  more  occa- 
sion to  do  so  now  that  we  have  concluded  a  peace  with  the 
Cherokees. 

Amongst  these  Tuscaroras  there  live  a  few  families  of 
the  Conoy  Indians,  who  are  desirous  to  leave  them  and  to 
remove  the  rest  of  their  nation  amongst  us,  and  the  straight 
road  to  them  lies  through  the  middle  of  your  country. 

*  Cobkn's  five  Nations, 


VIRGINIA;  113 

Ionics  was  still  in  force.     He  goes  on  to  state  CH\p. 
v/hat  is  the  interpretation  of  that  law,  and  quoc.  .  ^j1- 
ing  the  opinions  of  his  majest}  Js  attorney  and  so-  Proclama-^ 
licitor  general  on  the  subject    the  proclamation  tion  res- 
concludes  by  stating  the  orders  of  the  admiralty  **&"•%  '"»- 
for  putting  the  colony  into  the  best  state  of  de-  Pressment» 

ft*r\r»!*   %: 


•  BY  COMMAND  OF  THE  GOVERNOR. 

WHEREAS  the  lords  of  the  admiralty  have  signified  to 
me,  by  a  letter  dated  August  19th,  1743,  That  the  com- 
manders of  his  majesty's  ships  in  America  hav<r  made  fre- 
quent complaints  that  they  are  often  interrupted  in  endea- 
Vi  unnt>  to  procure  seamen  to  make  up  their  complements; 
and  that  it  appears  to  their  lordships  to  be  chiefly  owing  to 
a  mistaken  notion,  that  the  American  act  made  in  the  rtign 
of  queen  Anne,  prohibiting  the  pressing  there,  is  still  in 
force  ;  and  their  lordships  being  pleased  to  transmit  to  me 
the  opinions  of  sir  EdwardNorthey,  his  majesty's  iate  attor- 
ney-general, and  of  the  present  attorney  and  solicitor-gene- 
ral, that  the  said  act  expired  long  ago ;  I  have  thought  fit 
by  advice  of  the  council  to  have  this  published,  that  every- 
body may  be  acquainted  with  the  said  opinions  of  these 
gentlemen  learned  in  the  law,  on  a  point  which  remains 
here  undetermined  ;  and  about  which  people  in  these  part* 
are  divided  in  their  judgments. 

WILLIAM  GOOCH. 

Co/iy  of  the  opinion  of  the  late  sir   Edward  Northey,  in  rela» 
tion  to  the  American  a€t}  dated  February  \0t/i,   1715-16. 

I  am  of  opinion  that  the  whole  American  act  was  intended 
and  appears  only  to  have  been  intended  for  jhe  war. 

EDWARD  NOR  THEY. 

Copy  of  the  ofiinion*  of  the  present  attorney  and  solidtor-ge* 
neral,  dated  July  \7th,  1740. 

We  have  perused  the  several  clauses  in  the  America^ 
P 


114  HISTORY  OF 

AT  this  time  William  Fairfax,  son  of  the  pro- 
prietor of  Northern  Neck,  was  appointed  of  his 
majesty's  council  in  the  place  of  commissary 
Blair,  /ibout  the  same  time  died  \ViIliam  Byrd, 
of  the  council,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
rjiar.tcters  which  hud  shone  out  for  a  long  tune 
in  Virginia :  A  distinction  not  founded  solely  on 
his  wealth,  which  was  great,  or  his  station: 
But  his  own  personal  merit.  Extensive  know* 
Hischarao  ^dge  attaint  d  by  study,  improved  by  observation 
^r.  and  refined  by  a  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  il- 

lustrious characters  of  his  time,  were  the  qualities 
universal!)  ascribed  to  him  by  the  prints  of  the 
day.  How  much  of  this  eulogy  is  just,  or  whe- 
ther his  character  in  anywise  corresponded  with 
this  portrait,  cannot  be  precisely  known  without 
a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  facts.  It  is  uni- 
versally agreed  that  his  taste  for  expense,  his  mu- 
nificence, not  to  say  profusion,  exceeded  any 
thing  of  the  kind  hitherto  known  in  Virginia.  It 
is  the  duty  of  history  to  pronounce  one  part  of 
his  eulogy,  which,  as  it  is  justly  earned,  will 


act,  and  by  comparing  the  several  clauses  together,  it 
seems  lo  us,  that  the  act  is  not,  now  in  force,  but  expired  at 
the  then  war. 

D.  RYDER, 
I.  STRANGE. 

Having  received  direction  from  the  lords  justices  for  putting- 
the  colony  into  the  best  posture  of  defence,  upon  the  present 
uncertain  state  of  ^ubiic  affairs,  I  hereby  order  and  require  all 
commanding  officers  in  the  several  respective  counties,  to 
keep  themselves  prepared  and  in  readiness  against  any  at- 
tempt  that  may  be  made  upon  this  colony  from  any  quarter 
whatsoever,  and  to  ate  tha  the  militia  be  kept;  under  g'>od  or- 
der and  discipline,  and  that  they  be  provided  with  arms  and 
the  law  directs* 

WILLIAM  GOOCH; 


VIRGINIA,  115 

become  him  better  than  a  thousand  wreaths  of 
false  and  fantastic  adulation.  He  telt  a  laudable 
and  rational  pride  in  preserving  the  antiquities  of 
his  country  :  Nor  can  we  believe  that  this  pro- 
ceeded merely  from  the  cold  spirit  of  an  antiqua- 
rian. The  antiquities  he  preserved  contained  ma- 
terials for  an  history  of  his  country.* 

MEANWHILE  the  aspect  of  Europe  rendered 
necessary  the  most  pointed  attention  to  the  seru-      §ept.  4, 
rity  of  the  colony.      To  give  the  greater  effect  to       1744.' 
the  inveterate  hostility  which  appears  equally  to  Projen  of 
have  influmed  both  nations,  the  court  of  France  .Franre  to 
resolved  to  make  use  of  the  name  of  the  ex    popfsii 
eluded  family,  and  impose  a  king  on  England  in  tender, 
spite  of  the  wishes  of   the  people.     Report  of 
these  preparations  had  already  reached  England, 
and  a  suspicion  arising  of  their  true  motives,  an 
account  was  transmitted  to  the  colonies,  with  ad      Nov.  21. 
vice  to  put  themselves  in  readiness  against  the      1745. 
threatened   danger.     To  carry  into  effect   these 
intentions,     an  assembly    was     necessary,    and 
this  body  was  accordingly  convened.     The  go- 
vernor's speech,  after  a  short  apology  for  the  se-  Assembly, 
veral  prorogations,  passing  slightly  •  over  some 
matters  of  lesser  importance,  proceeds  to  detail 
the  motives  which  induced  the  treaty  with  the 
northern  Indians,  and  justifies  the  propriety  of 
purchasing  the  lands  in  dispu!e  between  tSicm  and 
the  governments  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania, 
instead  of  asserting  it  by  arms.     From  these  lo- 
cal conctrns,     it  passes  to  matters  of  greater 
magnitude.      The  battle  of  Dettiagen  and  the 


*  IV1SS.  copies  of  his  public  and  private  journal  are  in 
my  possession,  and  the  MSS.  copies  of  the  «ta'e  records 
from  whence  I  derived  materials  for  my  two  fir^t  volumes, 
were  collected  and  preserved  by  him  and  his  son. 


116  HISTORY  OF 

daring  courage  and  conspicuous  gallantry  of  the 
king  are  placed  before  the  house  as  objects  calcu- 
lated to  raise  their  devotion  10  his  interest  and 
exalt  their  courage ;  and  whist  this  picture  is  yet 
fresh  upon  their  imaginations  it  lays  before  them 
the  diabolical  project  of  France,  in  conjunction 
with  Rome,  to  impose  on  the  English  nation  a 
popish  pretender.  The  several  answers  of  the 
council  and  burgesses*  were  mere  echoes  of  the 
speech.  They  appear  however  to  breathe  a  spi- 
rit be}  ond  the  mere  effect  of  forms.  Both  the 
matter  and  manner  ir.dted  of  the  speeches  and 
addresses  were  certainly  improving  at  this  time  : 
r»or  is  it  in  these  alone  that  amendment  is  visible. 
The  essays  and  light  pieces  to  be  found  in  the 
periodical  papers  of  the  clay  discover  a  greater 
expansion  of  knowledge,  together  with  a  taste  aid 
judgment,  which  agreeably  disappoint,  because 
they  are  wholly  unexpected. 

BUT  the  assembly,  notwithstanding  the  ex- 
August  10.  pectation  raised  by  their  address,  came  to  a  close 
\vi.huut  making  any  provision  for  the  object  re- 
commended in  the  governor's  speech.  A  bill  had 
bu-ii  brought  in  to  raise  a  sum  for  the  repair  and 
maintenance  of  the  forts :  But  in  tht  course  of 
the  debate  it  was  discovered  that  nothing  ade- 
quate to  the  supposed  exigencies  could  be  gained 
from  the  determined  economy  of  the  assembly. 
The  advocates  for  an  immediate  supply  aimed  at 
too  much ;  and  the  bill  after  a  long  and  warm 


*  The  burgesses'  answer  concludes  in  these  guarded 
words  i  «  We  have  the  greatest  satisfaction  in  assuring  your 
honour,  that  we  will  concur  with  you  in  every  measure  that 
is  necessary,  with  that  cheerfulness  and  affection  which  be- 
coii'.e  a  house  of  burgesses,  tender  and  jealous  of  the  honour 
of  the  crown,  careful  and  solicitous  for  the  welfare  and  pros- 
perity of  this  colony."' 


VIRGINIA.  117 

debate  was  negatived  by  a  considerable  majority.     CHAP. 
The  governor's  language  in  adjourning  them,  miu- 
nifested  thee  deepest  disappointment*  but   no  A<;K  ,.- 
rude  nor  even  impolite  expression  escaped  him.  meat. 
He  knew  and  respected  the  rights  of  the  assem 
bly,  because  that  body  was  well  acquainted  with 
their  own  rights  and  their  power. 


*  Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  Mr.  Speaker,  and  gentlemen  of 
the  House  of  Bvrgesse*, 

I  AM  now  to  give  you  my  thanks  for  the  bills  you  have 
presented  to  me  :  Which,  I  trust,  as  I  am  sure  they  are  cal- 
culated with  that  view,  will  be  for  the  benefit  and  conveiu- 
tncy  of  the  people.  But, 

Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Burgesses, 

I  did  hope,  in  compliance  with  what  I  recommended  to 
you  at  the  opening  of  this  session,  and  indeed  correspondent 
to  your  address,  you  wou'd  have  contributed,  either  towards 
repairing  our  butteries,  which  my  concern  for  the  public 
safety  prompted  me  to  ask  ;  or,  that  the  sense  of  the  common 
danger  would  have  animated  you  with  a  more  laudable  zeal, 
and  warmed  you  into  a  vigorous  and  unanimous  resolution) 
of  exerting  your  utmost  efforts  to  convince  your  country,  at 
this  perilous  conjuncture,  that  you  had  made  the  best  pro- 
vision for  her  true  interest  and  protection. 

But  since  every  motion  of  that  kind  has  been  rejectel, 
and  more  effectual  measures,  though  they  obtained  the  cre- 
dit of  a  bill,  have  been  debated  into  a  negative,  that  such  pro- 
ceed ngs  may  not  be  censured  worse  than  they  deserve. 

Gentlemen  cfthe  Council  and  House  of  Burgesses, 

I  do  expect  from  your  known  affection  to  his  majesty's 
person  and  government,  that  during  your  recess  in  your  re- 
spective counties,  you  will  diligently  discharge  the  duty  in- 
cumbent upon  you,  as  well  in  your  military  as  civil  capaci- 
ties ;  by  taking  special  care  the  several  musters  be  attended 
with  proper  officers,  the  men  well  disciplined,  and  provided 
with  arms  andammunition  ;  and  by  sirictly  putting  the  laws 
In  execution  against  all  disturbers  of  the  peace. 


118    .  HISTORY  OF 

ABOUT  this  time  Edward  Trelawney,  governor 

of  Jamaica,  was  authorized  to  raise  a  regiment  in 

Governor  Virginia;  and  the  first  public  exhibition  of  any  thing 
of  Jamaica  in  the  nature  of  shews  or  entertainments,  was  exhi- 
authonzed  fc^ed  about  the  same  time.  The  main  objects  of  cti- 

!f  vif "  riosity  in  this  exhibition  were  a  solar,  or  as  the  acl- 

^irnent  in  ,  *  . 

Vijginia.      vertisemeni  stiled  it,a  camera  obscura  microscope, 
and  a  musical  clock  of  the  most  exquisite  work- 
Growth        manship,  so  organized  as  to  play  the  most  la. 
and  im-        vourite  opera  airs  and  sonatas,  with  some  of  the 
of  Htcmure  best  pieces  of  Corelli  and  other  masters.     It  was 
recommended  to  the  public  by  the  assurance  that 
the  king  had  bestowed  the  warmest  praise  on  the 
beauty  of  its  workmanship  and  the  wonderful 
principle  on  which  its  harmony  was  founded. 

SEVERAL  other  objects  of  literary  curiosity 
occurred  during  this  period,  confirming  what  has 
been  said  of  the  growth  of  taste  and  expansion 
of  intellect.  In  the  neighbouring  colony  of  Penn- 
sylvania Cicero's  Cato  Major,  or  discourse  on  old 
age,  was  translated  by  James  Logan.  This  was 
erroneously  supposed  to  be  the  first  classic  tran- 
slation executed  in  the  western  world.  It  has 
been  already  shewn  that  a  translation  of  Ovid's 
Art  of  Love  by  Mr.  Sandys  was  done  in  Virginia 
so  early  as  1624,  more  than  a  century  before. 
The  newspapers  of  the  day  contain  a  notice  from 
William  Stith,  the  historian,  to  his  subscribers, 
which  shews  that  his  valuable  book  was  then  in 
a  considerable  state  of  forwardness. 


And  as  you  are,  no  doubt,  impatient  to  visit  your  private 
affairs,  I  shall  keep  you  no  longer  than  to  acquaint  you, 
that  I  have  thought  fit  to  prorogue  this  assembly  to  the 
third  Thursday  in  December  next ;  arid  this  assembly  is  ac- 
cordingly prorogued  to  thai  time. 


VIRGINIA. 

THE  address*  of  governor  Cooch  to  the  grand 

jury  til'  the  general  court  is  t)ev:rvmg  of  notice.  

It  appe.ii  s  thai  swarms  of  Methodists,   Moravians  Address  of 
and  New  Light  Presbyterians,  presuming  on  the  governor 

humane   and   tolerant   spirit  of  the  times,  hud  f0*? 

jury. 


*  WILLIAMSBURG,  APBIL  25th. 

Thursday  last  being  the  fourth  day  of  the  general  court, 
his  honour  the  governor  was  pleased  to  deliver  the  follow- 
m£  charge  to  the  gen  icmen  of  the  grand  jury;  which  they 
afterwards  requested  his  honour  to  permit  to  be  published. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Grand  Jury, 

Without  taking  notice  of  the  ordinary 'matters  and  things 
you  are  called  to  a1  tend,  and  sworn  ».o  make  inquisition  for, 
I  must  on  this  occasion  tuin  to  your  thoughts  and  recom- 
mend to  your  present  service  another  subject  of  importance, 
wnich  I  thank  God  has  been  unusual,  bu.,  I  hope,  will  be 
most  effectual,  I  mean  the  information  I  have  received  of 
certain  fasle  teachers  mat  are  lately  crept  into  this  govern- 
ment; who,  without  order  or  license,  or  producing  any 
ttbt  inonial  of  their  educu  ion  or  sect,  professing  themselves 
mini-.ters  under  the  pretended  influence  of  new  light,  ex- 
triror-  i  ary  impulse,  and  such  like  satirical  and  enthusiasti- 
cai  knowledge,  lead  the  innocent  and  ignorant  people  into 
all  kinds  of  drlubion  ;  and  in  this  frantic  and  prophane  dis- 
gu  se,  though  such  is  their  heterodoxy,  that  they  treat  all 
other  modes  of  uorship  with  the  u  most  scorn  and  contempt, 
yst  as  it  they  had  bound  themselves  on  oath  to  do  many 
things  against  the  religion  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  that  pillar 
and  stay  of  the  truth  and  reformed  church,  to  the  great  dis- 
honour of  Almighty  God,  and  the  discomfort  of  serious 
Christians,  thty  endeavour  to  make  their  followers  believe 
that  salvation  is  not  to  be  obtained  in  their  communion. 

As  this  denunciation,  ii  1  am  rightly  advised,  in  words 
not  decent  to  repeat,  iias  been  by  one  of  them  publickly  af- 
firmed, and  shews  what  manner  of  sp>»  it  they  all  of  them  are 
of  in  a  country  hitherto  remarkiblt?  tor  uniformity  in  wor- 
ship, und  where  the  saving  crutsis  of  the  Gospel  are,  con» 
stantjy  inculcated,  I  did  promise  myself,  either  that  their 


120  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     spread  themselves  over  the  country,  arid  were  at- 

.-     _.*     ._.  U  mpting  to  propagate  their  doctrines  with  all  the 

ardour  and  vehemence  of  gesture,  and  boldnes  of 

denunciation,  which  mark  the  first  moments  of  a 


preaching  would  be  in  vain,  or  that  an  insolence  so  criminal 
would  not  long  be  connived  at. 

And,  therefore,  gentlemen,  since  the  workers  of  a  deceit- 
ful work,  blaspheming  our  sacraments*  and  reviling  our  ex- 
cellent liturgy,  are  said  to  draw  disciples  after  them,  and 
we  know  not  whereunto  this  separation  may  grow,  but  may 
easily  foretel  into  what  a  distracted  condition,  by  long  for- 
bearance, this  colony  will  be  reduced,  we  are  called  upon 
by  (he  rights  of  society,  and  what,  I  am  persuaded,  will  be 
with  you  as  prevailing  an  inducement,  by  the  principles  of 
Christianity,  to  put  an  immediate  stop  to  the  devices  and  in- 
trigues of  these  associated  scismaties,  who  having,  no  doubt, 
assumed  to  themselves  the  apostacy  of  our  weak  brethren, 
we  mav  be  assured  that  there  is  not  any  thing  so  absurd  but 
what  they  will  assert,  nor  any  doctrines  or  precepts  so  sa- 
cmi  but  what  they  will  prevert  and  accommodate  to  their 
favourite  theme,  railing  against  our  religious  establish- 
ment ;  for  which  in  any  other  country,  the  British  dominions 
only  excepted,  they  would  be  very  severely  handled. 

Flowever,  not  meaning  to  inflame  your  resentment,  as  we 
may  without  breach  of  charity  pronounce,  that  'tis  not  liber- 
ty of  conscience,  but  freedom  of  speech,  they  so  earnestly 
prosecute ;  and  we  are  very  sure  that  they  have  no  manner 
of  pretence  to  any  shelter  under  the  acts  of  toleration,  be-» 
cause,  admitting  they  have  had  regular  ordination,  they  are 
by  those  acts  obliged,  nor  can  they  be  ignorant  of  it,  not  only 
to  take  the  oaths,  and  with  the  test  to  subsciibe,  after  a  de- 
liberate reading  of  them,  some  of  the  articles  of  our  religion, 
before  they  presume  to  officiate.  But  that  in  this  indulgent 
grant,  though  not  expressed,  a  covenant  is  intended,  where- 
by they  engage  to  preserve  the  character  of  conscientious 
men,  and  not  to  use  their  liberty  for  a  cloak  of  maliciousness, 
To  that  I  say,  allowing  their  ordination,  yet  as  they  have 
rot,  by  submitting  to  those  essential  points,  qualified  them- 
selves to  gather  a  congregation,  or  if  they  had.  in  speaking 
all  manner  of  evil  against  us,  have  forfeited  the  privilege 
due  to  such  compliance;  insomuch,  that  they  are  entirely 
without  excuse,  and  their  religious  professions  are  very 


VIRGINIA,  121 

new  sect  in  religion.     Some  accounts  of  violent    CHAP, 
and  intemperate  expressions  on  the  part  of  these  _    J/;    ^ 
zealots  had  reached  the  ears  of  the  governor,  and  " 
he  conceived  it  to  be  his  duty  to  repress  the  fury 
of  a  zeal  which  threatened  the  tranquility  of  so- 
ciety. 

GOVERNMENT  had  not  yet  learned  the  secret 
of  subduing  the  frenzy  of  religious  bigotry  by 
suffering  it  to  waste  its  powers,  and  perish  by 
convulsions  of  its  own  exciting.  But  this  mis- 
take was  not  confined  to  the  governor.  Almost 
all  the  in  ellie:ent  men  in  the  colony,  and  amongst 
the  rest  several  who  afterwards  became  distin- 
guished as  the  champions  of  an  unqualified  free-  April  24, 
dom  in  ever}  thing  relating  to  the  human  mind,  1745. 
approved  the  doctrines  contained  in  the  gover- 
nor's charge.  Even  the  venerable  name  of  Pen- 


justly  suspected  to  be  the  result  of  Jesuitical  policy,  which 
also  is  an  iniquity  to  be  punished  by  the  judges. 

I  roust,  as  in  duty  bound  to  God  and  man,  charge  you  in, 
the  most  solemn  manner,  to  make  strict  inquiry  after  those 
seducers,  and  if  they,  or  any  of  them,  are  still  in  this  go- 
vernment, by  presentment  or  indictment  to  report  them  to 
the  court,  that  we,  who  are  in  authority  under  the  dtfender 
of  our  faith,  and  the  appointed  guardians  to  our  constiiuiion 
and  state,  exercising  our  power  in  this  respect  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  people  committed  to  our  care,  may  shew  our 
zeal  in  the  maintainance  of  the  true  religion ;  not  as  the 
manner  of  some  is,  by  violent  oppression,  but  in  putting  to 
silence  by  sach  method  as  our  law  directs,  the  calumnies 
and  invectives  of  these  bo;d  accusers,  and  in  dispelling  as  we 
are  devoutly  disposed,  so  dreadiul  and  dangerous  a  combi- 
nation. 

In  short,  gentlemen,  we  should  deviate  from  the  pious 
path  we  profess  to  tread  in,  and  should  be  unjust  to  God,  to 
our  king,  to  our  country,  to  ourselves  and  to  our  posterity, 
not  to  take  cognizance  of  so  great  a  wickedness,  whereby 
the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  turned  into 
fiess. 


122  HISTORY  OF 

tflcton,  appears  in  the  class  of  the  persecutors,/ 
a  proof  that  liberality  and  toleration  are  not  in- 
stinctive qualities,  the  growth  of  an  hour ;  but 
the  result  of  wisdom  and  experience. 

THE   coast  of  Virginia  being  left  unguarded 
by  the  departure  of  the  royal  ships  for  Europe 
and  New  England,  the  governor  engaged  a  Ber- 
muda built  sloop,  and  armed  her  for  a  guarda 
coasta.     A   dispatch   arrived   from   commodore 
\\ ;arren,*  announcing  the  landing  of  the  New  En- 
gland troops  under  Shirley  and  Pepperel,  in  Cha- 
Exprcss  of  paurouge  Bay,  and  the  capture  of  the  grand  bat- 
the  capture  terv>     This  was  quickly  followed  by  an  express 
bur£    1S      °*  lne  surrtnder  °*  Louisburg  and  the  island  of 
Cape  Breton. 

THIS  singular  expedition,  concerted  and  exe- 
cuted with  such  admirable  skill  and  courage  by  the 
New  England  states,  was  a  profound  secret  to  the 
other  colonies  until  the  moment  of  its  exe- 
cution ;  and  was  not  more  honourable  to  that  con- 
federacy than  beneficial  in  its  consequences  to  all 
the  colonies.  Calculated  as  it  was  to  enhance 
Liberalit  ^ie  rePutat*on  °*  colonial  bravery  in  the  esteem 
<rf  Virginia.  °f  tne  motner  country,  it  was  attended  with  the 
more  beneficial  effect  of  raising  them  in  their  own 
estimation.  Virginia,  once  the  enemy  of  the 
New  England  states,  less  from  feeling  than  com- 
mercial jealousy  and  religious  bigotry,  and  who 
once  pretended  to  contrast  her  own  loyalty  with 
the  turbulent  spirit  of  these  colonies,  was  not  slow 


*  The  substance  of  the  letters  of  governor  Shirley  and 
commodore  Warren,  referred  to  in  the  governor's  message, 
was  to  desire  an  aid  of  soldiers,  ammunition  and  provisions, 
for  securing  the  conquest  made  of  Cap«  Breton  The  kind's 
instructions,  mentioned  in  the  same  message,  arc  general 
to  the  goTcraore  of  thu  northern  colouita. 


VIRGINIA-  123 

«n  this  occasion  to  render  a  just  tribute  of  praise  CHAP, 
to  her  illustrious  sisters ;  and  if  her  feelings  were 
mingled  with  any  thing  like  regret,  it  was  that 
she  herself  had  no  share  in  the  glory  of  this 
atchievement.  But  although  Virginia  had  no  part 
of  the  honour  arising  from  this  gallant  action,  she 
had  yet  an  opportunity  of  rendering  the  conquest 
more  complete  and  certain  by  a  liberal  supply  to 
the  garrison  of  that  valuable  fortress.  With  tiiis 
view  a  proclamation  issued  that  a  free  trade,  free 
of  all  duty,  was  permitted  to  Cape  Breton :  But 
lest  the  benefits  of  this  arrangement  should  be 
too  tardy  for  the  wants  of  the  garrison,  the  go- 
vernor by  advice  of  council  purchased  two  thou- 
sand pounds  worth  of  beef  and  pork  for  this  pur- 
pose. 

THE  assembly  of  Pennsylvania^  although  averse 
to  war,  did  not  forget  on  this  occasion  the  duties  S7lvani*' 
.of  humanity.  They  subscribed  four  thousand 
pounds ;  'tis  true  the  king's  instructions  had  re- 
commended this  conduct :  But  the  character  of 
that  assembly  forbids  the  opinion  that  their  bounty 
was  the  result  of  any  such  influence. 

MEANWHILE    the    storm    of    invasion,    long 
threatened  by  France,  burst  upon  Scotland,  where 
it  was  hoped  the  prejudices  in  favour  of  the  old 
dynasty  would  favor  the  progres's  of  rebellion ;  and 
the  first  movements  of  the  pretender  appeared  to 
justify  this  expectation.     The  firsj  notice  of  this 
event  produced  a  very  strong  sensation  in  Virgi- 
nia, and  the  governor  immediately  called  together 
the  assembly.  The  speech  contained  nothing  that 
was  not  already  known.  He  gave  to  the  people,  ho\v- 
ever,  and  their  representatives,  an  opportunity 
of  speaking  their  will  with  an  effect  infinitely  im- 
posing.     The  college,    the  convocation  of  the 
clergy,  the  council,    the  representatives  of  the 
people,  with  one  voice  pledged  thtir  private  re- 


124  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  sources  and  those  of  the  colony  to  resist  the  arro- 
gant and  upstart  adventurer,  whose  absurd  preten- 
sions had  embroiled  the  nation.  The  governor 
afttr  directing  their  attention  to  the  college,  the 
acts  in  favour  of  which  were  about  to  expire,  and 
recommending  the  support  of  thr  troops  destined 
for.Louisburg,  who  had  been  forced  in  by  bad 
•weather,  made  use  of  these  words  which  prove  suf- 
ficiently the  great  weight  of  this  body,  and  how 
thoroughly  its  powers  were  understood.  He 
stated  that  he  had  of  his  own  accord  given  orders 
fur  the  disembarkation  of  the  troops  and  for  a 
supply  of  fire  wood  and  candles,  u  promising  to 
report  and  recommend  the  whole  to  the  conside- 
ration of  your  house,  in  whose  power  it  is  to  re- 
lieve them." 

THE  convention  of  the  clergy  called  together 
by  a  circular  letter  from  Dawson,  president  of  the 
college,  sent  addresses  to  the  governor  and  king, 
by  the  medium  of  the  bishop  of  London,  ex- 
pressive of  like  sentiments  of  loyalty  and  attach- 
ment. The  council  too  came  in  for  their  share 
of  this  overflow  of  loyalty  ;  the  climax  was  cap- 
ped by  an  address  to  the  assembly  full  of  pro- 
fessions of  gratitude  for  past  favours,  and  signify- 
ing in  delicate  terms  their  willingness  to  receive 
some  frt.sh  marks*  of  legislative  bounty  for  their 
alma  mater ^  the  university  of  William  and  Mary. 
The  session  came  to  a  close  without  any  occur- 
rence to  interrupt  this  harmony,  or  disappoint 
those  expectations.  The  soldiers  were  provided 
for;  the  college  felt  the  influence  of  the  public 
bounty ;  appropriation  was  made  for  the  sum  paid 
the  Six  Nations.  It  is  not  enough  to  say  that 
the  governor  was  barely  satisfied :  His  address 
to  the  legislature  at  the  prorogation  evinces  the- 
wannest  gratitude,  the  most  cordial  approbation , 


VIRGINIA;  125 

A  PROCLAMATION  issued  at  this  time  against    CHAP. 
Romish  priests,  who,  it  is  pretended,  came  as        TI     ... 
emissaries  from   Maryland  to  seduce  the  people 
from  their  allegiance :  So  strong  an  impression  had 
the  late  measures  of  France  and  the  invasion  of  the 
pretender  left  even  on  the  mild  temper  of  Gooch. 

MEANWHILE  an  express  arrived  from  Boston, 
with  advice  of  a  projected  expedition  of  some 
consequence,  in  pursuance  of  which  the  gover-  loth  June, 
nor  issued  a  proclamation,  directing  the  enlist- 
ment  of  soldiers,  who  were  to  serve  under  his 
own  immediate  command.  The  other  colonies 
\vere  at  the  same  time  busied  in  preparations. 
The  quotas  of  Virginia  and  Maryland  sailed 
from  Hampton  under  convoy  of  the  Fowey  man 
of  war,  destined  as  was  given  out  for  Canada, 
whose  conquest  could  alone  it  was  thought, 
ensure  any  permanent  repose  to  the  British  colo- 
nies. But  this  expedition,  prepared  with  so  much 
care  and  labour,  the  only  one  in  which  before 
this  time  the  colonies  had  generally  united,  pro- 
duced nothing  anywise  answering  to  the  public 
expectation. 

THE  Capitol  with  all  the  public  offices  was 
about  this  time  destroyed  by  fire  :  And  the  go- 
vernor summoned  the  assembly  by  proclamation 
to  meet  at  the  college  previous  to  the  term  of 
their  prorogation.  Two  other  proclamations  were 
issued  at  the  same  time,  the  one  offering  a  re- 
ward for  the  detection  of  the  supposed  incendiary 
of  the  Capitol,  the  other  forbidding  under  severe 
penalties  the  meeting  of  Moravians,  New  Lights 
and  Methodists. 

THE  answer  of  the  house  of  burgesses  to  the 
governor's  speech  disclosed  a  secret  which  had 
hitherto  been  only^ittcred  in  whispers ;  but  which 
had  silently  been  gaming  ground  in  Virginia. 
Owing  to  the  rapid  growth  of  the  colony  she  had 


136  HISTORY  OF 

successively  advanced  her  frontiers  from  the  falls 
to  the  heads  of  the  rivers,  and  thence  to  the  rich 
vallies  on  the  farther  side  of  those  enormous 
mountains  discovered  and  passed  by  Spotswocd. 
The  deputies  of  those  remote  places  felt  the  in- 
convenience  of  travelling  so  far  beyond  the  cen- 
tre of  the  colony  to  the  seat  of  government,  and 
all  became  sensible  that  the  principal  tribunals  for 
administering  civil  and  criminal  justice  might  be 
more  advantageously  situated  in  the  heart  rather 
than  at  the  extremities  of  the  country. 

THE  fire  had  given  the  occasion  wanted,  toge- 
ther with  a  body  and  form  to  the  opposition ;  a 
certain  expense  was  now  to  be  incurred,  and  why 
not  at  once  make  choice  of  some  site  for  a  city 
worthy  of  the  prosperous  fortunes  and  future 
destinies  of  this  colony  ? 

"  To  lay  the  foundation  of  a  new  city,"  say 
the  burgesses  in  their  answer,  "  to  raise  this 
building  in  a  place  commodiously  situated  for 
navigation,  will  complete  the  glory  of  your  ad- 
ministration, and  transmit  your  name  with  the 
highest  lustre  to  future  ages.  With  what  plea- 
sure may  we  then  extend  our  view  through  future 
centuries  and  anticipate  the  happiness  provided 
for  posterity."  Such  are  the  lofty  scenes  which 
the  assembly,  with  the  animated  eye  of  hope, 
see  in  the  perspective  of  fancy. 

BUT  widely  diffused  as  was  the  desire  of  re- 
moval, it  encountered  a  strong  opposition  from 
local  interest  and  attachment.  The  governor  and 
members  of  the  council,  together  with  some  of 
the  most  conspicuous  characters  in  the  colony^ 
were  owners  of  property  in  Williamsburg,  the 
value  of  which  would  experience  an  inevitable 
diminution  by  a  removal.  The  influence  of  the 
college  and  of  the  officers  of  government  too 
would  be  thrown  into  the  scale  of,  opposition.  To 


VIRGINIA;  127 

these  were  added  reflections  on  the  certain  ad  van-     CHAP. 
tages  of  the  present  site,  and  the  hazard,  incon-  _ 
venience  and  difficulties  of  raising  a  new   city      1745. 
from  the  foundations. 

FROM  interests  and  feelirfgs  so  clashing  as  these, 
little  unanimity  was  to  be  expected.  After  a 
violent  debate,  protracted  for  several  days,  a  bill 
for  a  removal  passed  the  house  of  bugesses  :  But 
was  stopped  in  the  council.  This  opposition  in 
the  council  gave  rise  to  one  equally  obstinate  in 
the  lower  house,  and  a  bill  for  preparing  some 
temporary  accommodations  for  the  purposes  of 
government  on  the  old  site  was  negatived.  The 
governor  concluding  that  nothing  was  to  be  ex- 
pected from  so  violent  a  contention  of  party  zeal, 
after  an  address  wherein  some  passion  was  min- 
gled with  his  usual  politeness,  prorogued  them, 
and  some  time  after,  rightly  judging  that  elements 
so  repulsive  could  not  be  expected  to  adhere  with 
a  stronger  attraction  in  the  short  space  of  time  al- 
lowed by  the  prorogation,  he  dissolved  them  by 
proclamation,  and  immediately  issued  writs  for 
a  new  election. 

THE  spirit  and  intelligence  of  the  Virginia  as~ 
sembly  at  this  time  will  appear  from  a  compari- 
son with  the  other  states.  The  opinions  of  the 
attorneys  and  solicitors  general  respecting  the 
right  of  impressment  in  the  colonies  had  never 
been  admitted  in  Virginia,  and  although  lately 
enforced  by  the  governor's  proclamation  had  ne- 
ver received  the  sanction  of  an  act  of  assembly. 
The  manner  of  the  colonies  was  rather  to  elude 
an  act  of  the  parliament  or  royal  mandate  than  to 
resist,  and  when  they  disapproved  this  uncharter- 
ed  interference,  they  were  silent  so  long  as  it 
confined  itself  to  a  mere  assertion  of  power 
without  any  attempts  to  enforce  it.  Impressment 
was  rarely  resorted  to  in  Virginia,  and  when  at- 


129  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  tempted  was  invariably  and  successfully  resisted 
by  the  people.  The  assembly  saw  no  necessity 
for  an  interference ;  the  governor's  proclamation 
on  a  point  supposed  to  affect  the  rights  of  the  co- 
lonists having  little  effect  when  opposed  to  public 
opinion.  But  it  was  not  thought  prudent  by  the 
Brittsh  government  to  attempt  the  introduction  of 
any  arbitrary  measure  in  a  province  so  high  spi- 
rited and  alive  to  the  purity  of  her  institutions 
and  principles.  It  was  usually  stolen  through 
the  legislatures  of  some  of  the  other  provinces  in 
the  hupe  of  thus  acquiring  for  it  a  sort  of  prece- 
dent or  authority. 

FOR  the  same  reasons  the  state  of  Massachu- 
setts and  the  other  members  of  the  New  En- 
gland confederacy  were  generally  exempted  in 
the  first  instance.  In  the  present  case  it  was 
hoped  that  the  military  ardour  prevailing  in  this 
confederacy,  added  to  the  influence  of  general 
Shirley  would  ensure  an  acquiescence  to  this  sta- 
tute ;  'but  these  hopes  encountered  a  fatal  disap- 
pointment. The  first  attempt  to  enforce  this  justly 
abhorred  statute  excited  a  riot,  marked  by  the  most 
furious  and  terrific  features.  Civil  government 
tottered  and  sank  beneath  its  fury,  and  even  the 
favourite  Shirley,  who  attempted  to  enforce  obe- 
dience to  it,  was  compelled  to  fly  and  take  refuge 
in  Castle  William.* 


*  BOSTON,  DECEMBER  14th. 

A  letter  writ  by  his  excellency  governor  Shirley,  to  the 
honourable  Josiali  Willard,  esquire,  secretary  of  this  pro- 
vince. 

CASTLE  WILLIAM,     , 
SIR, 

After  suffering  the  insults  of  an  outrageous  mob  at  Bos- 
ton, on  Tuesday  forenoon,  by  having  nly  house  beset,  and 
one  of  the  under  sheriffs  who  was  placed  at  my  door>  drag- 


VIRGINIA:  129 

THERE  Is  even  reason  to  believe  that  the  Mas-     CH.\P. 
sachusetts  assembly,  like  that  of  Vi^inia,  wink- 
ed  at  the  popular  excesses  on  this  occasion. 


ged  away  from  thence,  beat,  plundered  and  put  in  the 
stocks  ;  and  greater  outrages  committed  at  night  in  a  re- 
bellious manner  upon  myself  and  his  majesty's  council,  by 
being  surrounded  in  the  council  chamber  by  an  anned  mob| 
and  assaulted  there  with  brick-bats,  and  fay  their  forcibly  en- 
tering  the  town  house,  and  after  vards  the  same  mob  as- 
sembling before  my  house  in  a  tumultuous  manner,  and 
threatening  to  burn  a  barge  which  they  then  thought  be- 
longed to  his  majesty,  in  my  court  yard  ;  possessing  them- 
selves of  the  gates  of  the  town,  and  threatening  to  seize  all 
his  majesty's  officers  then  in  the  town  and  detain  them  as 
hostages,  and  subject  them  to  the  violence  of  their  arbitrary 
and  lawless  will,  in  defiance  and  to  the  overthrow  of  his  ma- 
jesty's government;  and  findi  g  myself  with  ^ut  a  proper  and 
sufficient  force  for  suppressing  this  insurrection  and  main- 
taining the  king's  authority  in  the  town  ;  the  soldiers  of  the 
militia  there  having  refused  and  neglected  to  obey  my  or- 
ders given  them  by  their  officers  to  appear  under  arms,  for 
quelling  this  tumult)  and  to  k  ep  a  military  watch  \t  night; 
and  there  being  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  insurrection 
was  secretly  countenanced  and  encouraged  by  some  ill  mind- 
ed inhabitants  and  persons  of  influence  in  the  town  ;  and 
that  the  same  rebellious  rout  would  be  repea'ed  the  night 
following;  1  did  not  think  it  consistent  with  the  honour  of 
his  majesty's  government  to  remain  longer  in  the  midst  of 
it,  destitute  of  all  proper  means  for  suppressing  it,  preserv- 
ing the  peace  and  protecting  his  majesty's  subjects  com- 
mitted to  my  care,  but  have  retired  to  his  majesty's  castle, 
William,  till  I  Can  assemble  a  sufficient  force  of  the  pro- 
vince militia  from  the  neigbouring  regiments  in  the  country, 
to  quell  the  tumult  and  lestore  his  majesty's  government 
and  the  public  tranquility  in  the  town  of  Boston  :  For  which 
purpose  I  would  have  y  u  forthwith  issue  orders  to  the  colo- 
nels of  the  several  regiments  of  ihe  towns  of  Cambridge, 
Roxbury  and  Milton,  and  of  the  regiment  of  horse;  to 
cause  the  officers  of  the  respective  regiments  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  march  at  an  hour's  warning,  to  suctk 
place  of  rendezvous  as  I  shall  further  order,  which  I  ljopc> 

K 


130  HISTORY  OF 

GHAP.         THE   importance  of  the  Six   Nations   ab'out 
il*        this  time  is  proved  by  the  proceedings  of  almost 
"*  all  the  colonial  legislatures.  Apprehensions  were 
entertained  that  the  intrigues  of  the  French  had 


together  with  such  officers  and  gentlemen  of  the  to\?n  of 
Boston,  (of  whose  duty  and  zeal  for  his  majesty's  service 
I  received  an  undoubted  mark  in  their  message  to  n.e  upon 
this  occasion  by  colonel  Hu  chinson)  the  sheriff  and  inferior 
civil  officers  in  discharging  their  respective  duties  for  the 
tnaintenance  of  his  majesty's  government  and  restoring  the 
public  peace;  and  at  the  same  time  I  would  have  you  to 
draw  up  letters  to  be  sent  wiih  those  orders  to  the  several 
colone  s,  pu porting  the  occasion  of  them,  and  my  depend- 
ence upon  the  duty  ai>d  zeal  of  their  respective  regiments, 
for  his  service ;  and  then  transmit  the  letters  to  me  fairly 
wrote,  to  be  signed  and  immediately  forwarded,  1  would  al- 
so have  you  take  the  first  opportunity  to  Communicate  this 
letter  to  the  gentlemen  of  his  majesty's  council  and  house  of 
representatives,  and  let  them  know  that  I  am  greatly  con- 
cerned at  their  being  disturbed  in  the  public  business  by  this 
rebellious  riot  and  tumult ;  and  that  I  desire  they  would  pro- 
ceed in  it,  and  that  I  vvill  concur  with  them  in  any  measures 
for  his  majesty's  service,  and  the  interest  of  the  province ; 
and  doubi  not  from  their  known  zeal  for  both  of  being  ena- 
bled with  their  assistance,  to  set  all  things  right  now,  and 
pi  event  such  riots  in  the  town  of  Boston,  and  breaches  in 
his  majesty's  government  for  the  future.  I  shall  be  likewise 
glad  ot  the  advice  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  council  upon  this 
occasion,  and  of  seeing  them  here  for  that  purpose;  if  they 
think  his  majesty's  service  require  it. 

Inclosed  1  send  you  governor  Knowles's  answer  to  the  let- 
ter which  I  sent  him  yeistcrday  and  read  over  to  you  first, 
and  which  I  am  sorry  has  not  procured  yet  the  dismission 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province,  lately  impressed  and  car- 
ried on  board  his  squadron,  as  also  of  many  other  seamen 
belonging  to  ouiwaul  bound  vessels;  which  I  am  satisfied  he 
would  have  clone  instantly  had  not  the  outrages  committed 
on  his  officer  and  the  king's  government  prevented  him  ; 
and  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  further  obstructions  are  laid  in  my 
way  by  the  mobs  securing  and  detaining  captain  Erskin,  as 
also  some  petty  officers  last  night  in  custody  ;  but  1  have  the 
sutislaction  to  find  that  my  answer  to  Mr  Knowjes's  letter 
drum  hence,  has  prevtmeU  him  from  putting  Ins  resolutions 


VIRGINIA.  131 

?. 

weakened  their  attachment  to  the  English  inter, 
est,  and  the  utmost  solicitude  is  discovered  to 
conciliate  them  by  presents  :  It  appears  that 
these  exertions  were  not  without  success :  But 


in  execution,  which,  had   I  remaine-l  jn  Boston,  nothing 
wculd  have  hindeted      I    likewise  received    another   lerttr 
from  him  between  three  and  four  ociock  this  .morn ing,  with 
an  offer  of  two  hundred  marines  to  reinforce  the  Ostlt,  and 
that  he  would  come  with  them  in  person.,  but  i  instantly 
excused  myself  from  accepting  his  offer  (as  w>*at  must  have 
cast  a  reflection  upon  the  loyalty  of  the  whol*   province  to 
3\is  majesty)  by  letting  him  know  that  I  did  not  retire  here 
for  safety  to  ray  own  person,  but  only  to  shew  a  public  mark 
of  my  resentment  at  the  behaviour  of  the  town  uf  Boston 
upon   this  occasion,  and   until  I  had  collected  sufficient  of 
the  country  militia  to  quell  the  insurrection ;  and  that  I  had 
not  the  least  apprehension  ol  the  Castle  being  in    danger 
from  the  mob;  however,  I  found  ihis  morning  he  had b- ought 
three  of  his  ships  nearer  tbe  Cas'le,  and  I  hear,  design*  to 
come  near  the  next  tide;  but  as  I  shall  dine  on  board  with 
him  to-day,    I  will    endeavour  to  divert   him    fr,.m    such 
thoughts, and  to  influence  him  to  discharge  the  inhabitants, 
and  as  many  others  as  I  can   n  the  end,  but  cat  not  promise 
success  from  the  present  temper  I  hear  he  is  in  at  Erskiir*s 
being  in  the  mob's  possession  ;  which  I  earnestly  wish  could 
be  forthwith  remedied.     I  have   only  to  add,  that  notwith- 
standing I  think  the  soldiers  oft  he  militia  of  the  town  of  Bos- 
ton have  b;  en  very  tardy  in  their  duty  on  this  occasion,  and  be- 
haved very  ill,  I  shall  be  concerned  at  fixing  .a  lasting  brand 
upon  the  town  for  their  failure  in  it,  and  therefore,  notwith- 
standing my  b<  fore  mentioned  orders  (which  I  will  not  sus- 
pend) if  they  will  obey  the  orders  thty  have  received  by  .-p- 
pearing  forthwith  under  arms,  and  exert  themselves  vigour* 
ousiy  in  dispersing  the  mob  and  securing   the  ring-Ieactxs, 
und  enforcing  the  execution  of  the  civil  authority,   so  as 
that  I  may  be  sure  of  finding  myself  in  a  condition  of  sup- 
porting his  majesty's  government  in  the  town,  arid  obtaining 
satisfaction  for  the  indignities  offtrtd  it,  and  the  rebellious 
breaches  of  the  peace*  without  my  calling  on  the  aid  of  the 
country  regiments,  I  will  yet  give  them  an  opportunity  of 
retrieving  their  own  honour  and  my  good  opinion  of  them. 


132  HISTORY  OP 

the  treaty  of  Aix  la-Chapelle,  which  took  place 
about  this  time,  rendered  this  and  the  other  ex- 
Yi  |;<,ru»nce  pedients  of  less  value  in  the  tstimation  of  the  co- 
ot the  Six  lonists.  They  imagined,  and  not  without  reason,. 
tnat  their  own  obvious  interests  as  well  as  the  na- 
tional honour  were  sacrificed  by  some  of  the  sti- 
pulations of  this  treaty.  The  encroachments  of 
the  enemy  on  the  territory  of  the  Five  Nations, 
the  allies  of  the  Knglish,  and  their  project  of 
connecting  the  St.  Laurence  with  the  Mississippi, 
were  parsed  over  in  silence,  and  a  tacit  right  was 
thereby  acknowledged  to  these  dangerous  preten- 
sions. But  what  was  considered  particularly  by 
the  people  of  New  England  as  the  most  repre- 
hensible concession,  was  the  surrender  of  Cape 
Breton.  This  island  was  regarded  as  the  price 
oi  colonial  bravery,  aid  ii  was  thought  unfeeling 
and  impolitic  to  barter  away  this  first  conspicuous 
garland  of  American  glory. 


and  preventing  an  infamous  reproach  upon  the  duty  and  loy- 
al y  of  the  town. 

Ii  is  fit  thut  all  grievances  should  be  inquired  into  and  re- 
dressed, so  far  as  it  is  in  the  power  of  this  government  to  do 
it  :  But  I  am  sure  the  people  have  sufteied  no  grievance 
from  the  government  on  this  occasion. 

1  am,  sir,  your  mosi  assured  friend  and  servant, 

W.  SHIRLEY. 

Some  further  particulars  concerning  the  riot.  On  the  17th 
of  November,  being  the  day  on  which  the  riot  began,  a 
committee  of  the  council  and  house  of  representatives  was 
appointed  to  inquire  into  the  impress  whkh  had  been  made 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province,  and  the  disorders  conse- 
quent thereon  in  the  town  of  Boston,  and  on  the  29th  of 
November,  befoie  that  committee  had  made  a  report,  the 
house  of  representatives  passed  several  resolves,  and  ap- 
pointtd  a  committee  who  upon  the  same  day  waited  upoft 
the  governor  at  Castle  William,  with  a  copy  thereof. 


VIRGINIA,  133 

THE  new  assembly  met  agreeably  to  proro^n-     CH\P. 
tion  on  the  third  of  November,  and  af  ier  the  UMial        l! 
formalities,  proceeded  to  an  immediate  inquiry  New  a* 
into  the  question  of  a  site  for  the  new  capitol.  stmblv. 
The  last  prorogation  hud  taken  place  with  a  view     Nov   3- 
to  let  the  passions  of  the  moment  piss  away,  ar»d 
perhaps  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to  influence 
particular   members    by   personal    solicitations. 
The  governor,    notwithstanding  his  former  re- 
serve, was  now  the  avowed  head  of  the  party  for 
retaining  the  government  at  Williamsburg,  and 
in  his  communication  he  expressly  wishes  that 
the  public  edifices  should  be  erected  on  the  old 
foundations.     A  considerable  change  had  taken 
place  in  public  opinion  on  this  head.     In  the  as- 
sembly, immediately  subsequent  to  the  loss  of 
the  capitol,  there  were  but  fifteen  votes  in  favour 
of  the  present  site,  and  the  spirited  discussions 
in  the  public  journals  were  calculated  to  increase 
this  majority.     The  strong  resolution  manifested 
by  the  last  assembly  on  this  head  had  caused  its 
dissolution,  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  irrita- 
tion produced  by  this  measure   would  tend  to 
confirm  the  opposition  to  the  present  site,  yet 
contrary  to  all  expectation,  a  decided  majority 
appeared  against  a  removal.     Nor  can  this  be  as- 
cribed to  any   want  of  virtue  or  intelligence  in 
this  body.    By  an  inspection*  it  will  be  seen  that 


*  The  following:  is  a  list  of  the  burgesses  elected  for  the  se- 
veral counties,  to  serve  in  the  present  general  assembly,  viz. 

For  AccomaC)        Thomas  Parramore,  Edward  Allen, 
Albemarle)  Joshua  Fry,  Charles  Lynch, 

Amelia,  Thomas  Tabb,  Wood  Jones, 

John  Wilson,  John  Maddison, 

Sterling  Clack,  Drury 


1541 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP.     It  contained  some  of  the  most  respectable  names 
in  Virginia. 


Caroline,  John  B«ylor,  Lunsford  Lorn  ax, 

Charles  City,  Richard  Kennon,  Edward  Broadnax, 
Elizabeth  City,      William  WestwooiJ,  John  Tabb, 
JEsser,  William  Beverly,  William  Dangerfield, 

Fairfax,  Laurence  Washington,    Richard  Osburne^ 

Frederick,  George  Fairfax,  Gabriel  Jones, 

Gloucester,  Beve.rley  Whiting,  Francis  Willis, 

Goochtand,  George  Cavinglon,  Archibald  Gary, 

Hanover,  W  lliam  Merhvether,  John  Chiswell? 

Henrico,  John  Boiling,  Richard  Randolph, 

James  City,  Carter  Burvvell,  Benjamin  Waller, 

Isle  of  Wight,  John  Simmons,  Richard  Gray, 

King  George,  Charles  Carter,  Henry  Turner, 

King  and  Queen,  John  Robinson,  George  Braxton, 

King  William,  Bernard  Moore,  Francis  West, 

Lancaster,  Joseph  Chinn,  Peter  Conway, 

Louisa,  Abraham  Venable,  Charles  Barret, 

Lunenburg,  Clement  ReacJe,  Henry  Embry, 

Middlesex*  Ralph  Wormley,  Philip  Grymes, 

Mmscmund,  Lemuel  Riddick,  William  Hunter, 

JVew  Kent,  William  Hickaday,  William  Massie, 

Norfolk,  Willis  Wilson,  William  Portlock, 

Northampton,  Littleton  Eyre,  Matthew  Harmanson, 

Northumberland,  Presley  Thornton,  Spencer  Ball, 

Orange,  George  Taylor,  John  Spotswood, 

Princess  Anne,  Anthony  Wilks,  Jacob  Elligood, 

Prince  George,  Richard  Bland,  Francis  Eppes, 

Prince  William,  Thomas  Harrison,  Joseph  Blackwell, 

Richmond,  William  Fantleroy,  John  Woodbridge. 

Sjlotsylvania,  William  Waller,  Rice  Custis, 

Stafford*  William  Fitzburg,  Peter  Hedgeman, 

Sumj,  Robert  Jones,  Augustus  Claiborne, 

Warwick,  William  Harwood,  Jol>n  Langhorne, 

Westmoreland,  John  Bush  rod,  George  Lee, 

York,  Thomas  Nelson  (secretary),  Ed.  Diggs, 

James  Town,  Philip  Ludwell, 

Williamsburg,  The  Attorney-general, 

Norfolk  Town,  Robert  Todd, 

The  College,  Beverley  Randolph. 


VIRGINIA, 

SEVERAL  acts  of  an  interesting  nature  were  pas-  CHAP. 
sed  daring  this  session.  By  one  the  grants  in  the  ** 
Northern  Neck  were  confirmed  as  they  then  stood. 
Petersburg  and  Blandford  were  established  as 
towns,  and  the  use  of  wooden  chimnies  was  for- 
bidden in  them.  Richmond  had  been  established 
during  the  preceding  session  :  All  precisely  at  the 
puints  marked  out  by  colonel  William  Byrd  in  his 
journal  before  alluded  to.  During  the  succeeding 
assembly  we  discover  the  same  new  born  fondness 
for  towns.  Acts  passed  for  building  one  in  Au- 
gusta in  King  William,  near  Warwick  in  Henri- 
co,  and  at  Hunting  Creek  Ware  house  in  Fair- 
fax. During  this  session  also,  a  general  revisal 
of  the  laws  was  ordered,  and  Peyton  Randolph, 
Philip  Ludwell,  Beverley  Whiting,  Carter  Bur- 
wcil  and  Benjamin  Waller  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  superintend  the  revisal  and  prepare  the 
index.  During  this  session  too  several  grants  of 
land  were  made  out  in  favour  of  adventurers  on 
tlit  other  side  of  the  mountains.  The  houses  in 
Philadelphia  at  this  time  amounted  to  two  thou- 
sand and  seventy-six,  exclusive  of  Churches  and 
public  buildings. 

MEANWHILE  the  governor  and  his  family  be- 
ing on  die  eve  of  a  final  departure  from  Virginia, 
the  president  and  council  waited  on  him  with  an 
address,  dictaied  by  die  sincerest  respect  for  his  Goveraor 
public  and  private  virtues,  and  the  most  unafFect- 
txl  regrets,  added  those  of  the  whole  colony,  at 
his  departure ;  they  were  followed  by  the  college 
municipality  of  Williamsburg.  He  had  been 
more  than  twenty  two  years  governor  of  the  co- 
lony, and  notwithstanding  repeated  differences 
in  opinion  with  the  house  of  burgesses,  not  a 
single  expression  of  disrespect  or  incivility  escap- 
ed him  in  his  various  communications  with  that 
body.  As  commander  of  the  colonial  forces  oa 


13S 


HISTORY  OF 


His  cha- 
racter. 


CHAP,  a  distant  expedition,  he  is  equally  clear  of  offence 
and  imputation  ;  and  when  after  the  reduction  of 
Louisbure  an  important  expedition  is  projected 
against  the  French  possessions,  the  Virginians 
are  called  upon  to  enlist  under  a  solemn  assurance 
that  they  shall  be  commanded  by  their  favourite 
Gooch. 

HE  appears  by  the  stile  of  his  communications 
to  have  been  a  man  of  an  excellent  capacity.  His 
morality  was  recomended  by  the  example  of  his 
private  virtues :  But  although  sincere  and  in  ge- 
neral beneficial,  it  was  tinctured  by  a  slight 
shade  of  intolerance,  principally  owing  to  the 
prevailing  apprehensions  of  popery,  and  the  agi- 
tation of  party  opinion  in  those  times. 

As  the  reward  of  his  long  and  iaithful  services 
he  was  created  a  baronet.  His  family  formed 
connections  in  Virginia,  and  after  his  departure 
he  continued  the  warm  and  stedfast  friend  of  the 
colony.  Nothing  can  better  establish  this  fact  than 
his  appointment  as  agent  to  present  and  enforce 
the  assembly's  petition  to  the  king  for  a  reduc- 
tion of  the  tax*  on  tobacco.  He  departed  OR 


*  The  following  state  of  the  tobacco  trade  was  published 
in  the  London  Genera^  Advertiser,  by  an  eminent  Virginia 
merchant,  at  a  time  that  the  ministry  intended  to  have  laid  u 
farthing  a  pound  on  all  tobacco  exported. 

"  In  whatever  light  we  take  a  view  of  the  British  tobacco 
plantations,  they  merit  a  large  sh;.re  in  the  British  legisla- 
ture, and  they  have  been  treated  accordingly  whenever  they 
have  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  parliament. 

"  The  general  grovuh  of  tobacco  for  several  years  past  is 
computed  to  be  62  000  hhds.  per  annum,  each  hogshead 
weighing  about  QOOlbs.  net  one  with  another. 

"  The  consumption  of  tobacco  in  Great  Britain  is  sup- 
posed rather  lo  diminish  than  increase,  especially  if  we  do 
lake  not  into  consideration  the  quantity' of  tobacco  used  ir* 
siiiiii  which  is  said  to  have  increased  considerably. 


VIRGINIA.  13 

;the  14th  of  August,    1749,  amidst  the  blessings    CHAP. 

iind  tears  of  the  people,  amongst  whom  he  had L. 

livtd  as  n  wi^e  and  beneficent  iaditr.  * 


The  quanti  y  of  tobacco  computed  to  be  exported  to  fo-« 
.reign  parts  is  said  to  be  50,000  hhds.  comunibus  annis, 
winch  pays  no  revenue  to  the  c:  own  as  tobacco,  but  with 
regard  to  ihe  balance  of  the  trade  w.th  foreign  nations,  it 
n  a)  be  truly  stated  at  upwards  of  400,0001  per  annum,  be- 
sides the  -mplrymem  of  above  25  000  tons  of  British  ship- 
ping;;  of  which  400,0001.  per  annum,  after  paying  the  ne- 
ctsbury  charges  of  foreign  insurance  and  bringing  to  market, 
ti  ere  does  not  remain  to  the  maker  scarce  .100,0001.  per  an- 
num, the  other  300,000  may  not  be  called  a  duty  but  is  a 
tax  on  the  maker  of  300  per  cent,  which  ihe  planters  in  Eu- 
rope have  not  to  struggle  with;  and  dur-ng  the  war  is  so 
g  eat  a  load  on  British  tobacco  as  may  be  doubted  whether  it 
can  be  supported  without  additional  favours  from  the  le^is* 
lature. 

"  An  additional  duty  of  one  fourth  per  Ib  laid  on  the  ex- 
portation will  take  away  near  50,000i.  p;  r  annum  from  the  n** 
ker,  who  then  would  have  only  50.0001.  per  annum  for  tMr 
support;  and  this  is  a  duty  to  them  of  cent,  per  ce<u. -and 
whatever  gi  ;ss  gentlemen  may  please  to  put  on  such  y  duty 
this  is  the  true  f  ct. 

"Compare  this  with  any  other  branch  of  the  British  trade 
and    see   (the   \\ooltn    manufactory  excepted)  whai    °*lef 
branch  is  so  extivmdy  beneficial  to  Great  Britain  as  ***"'.?*" 
port  tobacco  trade  is,  with  (repaid  to  th      quanti!'^' 
tish  shipping,  a  nursery  for  sailors,  the  bulwark  f.     e 
tion,  and  the  addition  to  the  nation  every  yea;  J( 
consumption  of  British  manufactures.  , 

«  Though  the  Brius  •.  p'.an'aiion  tobacco .;£' 
,  .  ,  •     r*  r^a»n  is  chained 

duty,  yet  what    is  consumed  in  Great   !,,, 

.  r  orin^s  into  the  re- 

wi  h  four^ence  three  far'hme;5  per  Ib  a' 

venue  in  England  1500001  per  annutherc  af      rea   f 

«  It  posnbly  may  be  vfi^ft^^S*  to' much 
in  the  tob.;cco  dut.es,  and  that  thgm  w;1|  knQwn  tQ  be  ^ 
less  th^n  it  ought;  it  may  be ^  ware.houain^  wij,  not 
Landing  atier  exportation,  ' 

.    Bowles  of  \hrvllul,  who  after 
H,s  son  ma-r.eH  M^arried  to  colond  \\lham 
was  afterward  u 


HISTORY  OF 


THE  government  now  devolved  on  Kobinsbrf, 
the  president  of  council,  but  he  dying  in  a  few 
&749.       days  after  this  event,  Thomas  Lee  as  president 
TlWas       succeeded  to  the  administration.     The  installa- 
presi-    tibn  of  this  gentleman  was  announced  in  the  usual 
mode  by  a   proclamation,  in  which   all   the  ex- 
isting officers  were  continued.     It  recited  also 


prevent  any  more  than  it  has  done  with  regard  to  the  strict- 
est regulations  in  regard  to  tea,  &c. 

**  To  supply  the  necessity  of  government,  however"  it 
may  be  thought  necessary  to  burthen  ourselves  with  taxes, 
yet  it  must  be  obvious  to  all  impartial  persons  (especially 
•where  there  are  so  many  competitors  in  trade,  not  to  en- 
courage foreigners  to  vie,  as  it  will  grow  in  every  climate) 
especially  in  so  desirable  a  branch  as  tobacco,  and  the  laying 
a  duty  on  export  tobacco  will  most  certainly  do  it. 

•«  After  being  drove  to  the  merest  brink   of  j  urn  as  the 

\obacco  trade  was  in  queen  Anne's  war,  the  administration, 

notwithstanding  all  its  difficulties,  found  it  necessary  to  rs- 

litve  and  enc<  urage  tbis  trade.     Meaning  the  export  of  to- 

bacvo  by  repaying  the  whole  duty. 


?  growth  of  British  plantation  tobacco  is,     hhds.  62,000 
Of  vhich  is  exported,     ......     ...     50,000 


ve* 


for  Home  consumption, 


12,000 

duty  on  exportation  »s  drawn  back.  The  home 
is  charged  with  lour  pence  three  farthings  per 

And  brings 

Tobacco  ex\Per,  annum»     "     '     '     '-  Pounds,  150,000 
h  le    per       19  coniPuted  to  produce  in  the 

The  necessary  i.  ,  r   .   . 

rge  ol  treight,  insurance,  &c.  is,  300,000 

Leaves  for  'he  makv 

Adutyoionefartlur^-    ;  -     -    "     -100,000 

•rib  amounts1  to    ...     50,000 

There  remain5  foythe  ma».  — 

'  only 50  000 

Which  is  bu  twenty  shillings  . 

^'ithstandinf  it  mists  eight  poima  ie  P1anter»  noN 

tional  slock  ^er  h»d.  towards  the  na^ 


VIRGINIA. 


t!re  commission  tp  tk^tTuke  of  AJbemark  as  go-     CHAP, 
vernor  in  chief:   It  concluded  by  proroguing  tie 
Assembly  to  the  last  Thursday  in  the  following 
year. 

THE  measures  of  this  administration  were  few 
and  unimportant.  Surveyors  were  permitted  to 
measure  and  locate  lands  on  the  other  side  of  the 
mountains,  provided  they  did  not  interfere  w*th 
the  grants  to  the  Ohio  comparn  .  The^M^mbly 
was  farther  prorogued  to  the "  last  Tnursday  in 
November,  but  before  this  meeting  took  place 
the  president  died. 

THE  events  of  this  adminstration  excite  no  cu- 
riosity respecting  the  character  of  this  gentlemni 
It  is  recorded  by  his  cotemporaries,  who  still  *ir- 
\:ive,  that  his  influence  and  connexions  #  En- 
gland were  sufficiently  powerful  to  have  procured 
kirn  the  appoitament  of  deputy  gwermy  if  he  had 
not  been  taken  off  so  suddenly  *  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Lewis  Burwellt  of  Gloucester  county, 
as  president  of  council,  whr  prorogued  the  .as- 
sembly  to  the  first  Thurs^V  in  Juiie.^  During 
this  administration  nim  Cherokee  chiefs,  with 
thirty  warriors,  arriv^  ™  WiUiamsburg,  for  the 
purpose  as  they  p^ended,  of  opening  a  direct 
trade  with  Vinnr*u.  A  deep  and  deadly  hatred 
Subsisted  betwe^  this  tribe  and  the  Nottoways 
qn  account  of  murders  alledged  to  have  been 
perpetrated  b;  the  former,  when  in  conjunction 
with  the  ntoer  Indians  of  the  south,  they  hac 
been  in  tie  habit  of  making  excursions  on  Vir* 


*  He  was  the  father  of  Philip  LwUel!  Lee,  Richard  H. 
Chomas  L.  Arthur,  Francis,  LightfootLee,  and 

»  The  father  of  Mrs.  Petnr  Whiting,  Mr,  Armstcad 
ibot,  and  Mrs.  Ambler,  of  Richmond' 


140 


HISTORY  OF 


Theatre 
Unit. 


Character 
ot  Gover- 
nor, 


ginia  and  North  Carolina.  A  knowledge  of  the 
unquenchable  spirit  of  revenge,  which  burns- 
without  any  abatement  from  time  In  the  breasts 
of  this  people,  had  given  the  president  some  un- 
easiness lest  the  Nottoways,  hearing  of  the  arri- 
val of  this  deputation,  should  approach  the  city 
and  make  it  the  theatre  of  their  vengeance.  A 
Vn  jr  short  time  evinci  d  that  these  fears  were  not 
unfounded.  Information  was  received  that  a 
band  oi  Notiovvay  wan  iors,  painted  and  prepared 
fi.-r  batrle  were  approaching,  and  the  Cherokees 
vert  advised  to  .*.tand  on  their  defence.  Asto- 
lusi.e-d  at  this  information,  they  prepared  for  bat- 
*V,  and  r-ii>tdthe  war  song:  But  the  influence 
pf  4u  president  prevented  an  encount  r,  by  giv- 
ing time  k>r  exphm  tions.  The  Chen  kees"  aver- 
red thaube\xr  es^es  complained  of  had  been  per- 
petrated by  a  iVifit  rent  tribe,  and  the  two  nations 
snoked.  together  the  calumet  of  peace. 

THIS  incident  Irishes  a  proof  that  the  Indi- 
ans of  Virginia,  ca^l  tributciry  Indians,  enjoy- 
ed their  iormer  not.o^  of  independence,  and 
preserved  their  unconque^bie  spirit  and  their  ex- 
ternal customs  in  cktianceo}  tneir  melancholy 
reverse  of  fortune,  and  aliho^h  surrounded  by 
the  genius  and  power  of  the  \vlite  man. 

LURING  this  administration  the  New  York 
company  of  comedians  were  permuted  to  buiiel  a 
thrali  e  in  Willinmsbin,  and 


for  the  ele- 

fancies  as  well  as  the  more  erudite  pai*s  oi  litera- 
ture shone  out  beneath  the  patronage  aixl  exam- 
ple of  the  president.  Nothing  of'  the  character 
of  this  gentleman,  so  far  as  I  am  acquainted,  has 
desccnde  cl  in  aay  authentic  record  to  our  times  : 
lint  his  surviving  cotcniporaries  represent  him  to 
have  been  emintmly  profound  and  polished  as  a 
scholai  and  a  gentleman.  During  his  residence  in 
he  had  bteu  comptiied  to  submit  to  the 


VIRGINIA.  Hi 

operation  of  trepanning  in  consequence  of  a  frac-     CH  "^P. 
ture  by  a  fail  from  his  horse,  and  Was  ever  after  oc-  _ 
casionally  subject  to  derangements,  to  which  his 
intense  study  in  almost  every  branch  of  human 
knowledge  wrs  thought  to  htve  not  i  little  contri- 
buted,     tiis  last  act  was  a  farther  prorogation  of 
the  as-embl)  to  the  first  Thursday  in  March  in  the 
foi  lotting  year. 

BUT  it  was  not  in  Virginia  alone  that  the  in-    October  9, 
fluence  of  literary  improvement  began  to  be  fcir.       175 1. 
In  the  neighbouring  settlement  of  Pennsylvania  Luei  -T 
the  progress  of  inventive  wisdom  kept  pace  with  I"^',^ 
any  thing  that  is   recorded  of  the  mobt  polished  tUe  colonies 
age  or  nation   in  a  given  time.     So  early  as  t!;c 
rear  17^0  a  newspaper  lud  been  established   ii 
.Philadelphia,  and  after  a  short  interval  a  seen  .u 
was  set  en  foot.     Thenceforward  improvements 
in  political    economy    rapidly   developed  them- 
selves,  by  the  procreative  genius  of  Franklin,  at 
once  the  humblest  and  most  exalted  of  hum  in  k 
and  the  spark  of  colonial. patriotism  was  fanned 
into  a  flame  by  his  terse  and  5  )i"i:e.l  discussions. 

FHOM  these  familiar  but  useful  topics  he  rose 
all  at  once  above  the  horizon  in  the  brightness  of 
a  primal  planet.  The  science  of  electricity  had 
been  little  more  than  a  collection  of  independent 
facts,  badly  connected  and  worse  understood. 
Their  uses  or  application  had  not  been  so  much 
as  conjectured  :  But  the  results  of  the  succesful 
experiments  excited  the  curiosity  of  philosophers, 
and  amongst  the  rest,  of  the  young  Penr.svha- 
nian.  Some  observations  on  the  late  ex, 
ments,  communicated  to  the  library  company  .-if 
Philadelphia  by  a  Mr.  Coilinson,  first  attracted 
his  attention  to  this  subject.  After  having  as- 
certained the  power  of  points  in  drawing  and 
throwing  o*F  the  electrical  matter,  which  hal 
escaped  the  notice  of  ills  predecessors,  he  effect- 


142  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     ed  his  grand  discovery  of  a  plus  and  a  minu$ 
____•        _  state  of  electricity. 

By  deductions  from  this,  he  explained  in  a  sa- 
tisfactory manner  the  .phenomena  of  the  Ley  den 
phial,  which  had  hitherto  eluded  the  sagacity  of 
electricians.  He  afterwards  demonstrated  that 
the  electricity  did  not  reside  .in  the  coating,  as 
had  been  imagined,  but  in  the  pores  of  the  glass 
itself.* 

HE  next  suggested  his  idea  of  explaining  the 
.phenomena  of  thunder  gusts  and  of  the  aurora  bo- 
realis,  upon  electrical  principles,  and  he  conceived 
the  sublime  idea  of  drawing  down  the  forked 
lightning  from  the  clouds.  But  there  is  no  end 
to  an  enumeration  of  his  virtues  and  literary  at- 
chievements :  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  his  name  in. 
the  course  of  this  history  will  be  found  associated 
with  the  prosperity  and  glories  of  his  country. 

COTEMPORARY  with  him  and  long  united  in 
habits  of  familiar  and  friendly  intercourse,  lived 
the  self  taught  mathematician  Godfrey,  the  real 
inventor  of  the  quadrant  denominated  Hartley's. 
The  ingenious  and  learned  Logan  of  Pennsylva- 
nia has  collected  the  evidence  on  this  head,  and 
it  must  be  pronounced  irresistible,  f  The  story 
of  this  ingenious  man,  thus  cheated  of  his  fame, 
suggests  the  fate  of  the  great  Columbus,  suffering 
a  like  injustice  from  the  ingratitude  or  neglect  of 
posterity.  In  Boston  a  press  had  been  establish- 
ed earlier  than  in  the  other  provinces.  In  Vir- 
ginia until  1736  there  was  no  newspaper,  and  it 
was  the  only  one  in  the  colony  for  many  years. 
Project  of  BEFORE  I  close  this  period  it  may  not  be  amiss 
sir  William  to  ta^e  some  notice  of  an  extraordinary  project  of 
Keith.  sir  William  Keith  for  raising  a  revenue  within 


Franklin's  Life.  t  Miller's  Retrospect, 


VIRGINIA,  US 

'be  colonies  by  act  of  parliament.  The  original  CHAP. 
MSS.  is  in  my  hands,  bearing-  date  November, 
l<28,  l)etter  than  one  year  after  Keith  had  been 
superseded  in  his  government  by  major  Gordon. 
This  paper  is  important  as  being  the  earliest  evi- 
dence on  record,  of  an  avowed  project  for  raising 
to  internal  revenue  in  the  colonies  by  an  act  of 
[he  British  legislature.  The  apparent  motive  of 
the  projector  was  to  provide  a  regular  force  against 
the  incursions  of  the  Indians  and  tire  intrigues  of 
France,  instead  of  depending  on  the  precarious 
and  inadequate  supplies  of  the  colonial  legisla- 
tures. The  more  immediate  and  particular  oc- 
casion was  the  indisposition  constantly  manifest- 
ed by  the  Quakers,  who  formed  a  majority  of  the 
Pennsylvania  legislation,  to  war  on  any  account, 
even  of  a  defensive  nature. 

JUDGING  from  the  character  drawn  by  Benja- 
min Franklin  for  this  projector,  as  well  us  the  te- 
nor of  the  instrument  in  question,  there  is  reason 
to  believe  that  he  was  in  a  great  measure  influ- 
enced by  motives  of  personal  ambition.  Thi* 
project,  which  is  given  at  length,  discovers 
considerable  knowledge  of  the  American  tnxle, 
and  it  is  drawn  up  with  no  small  art  and  judg- 
ment. But  the  sagacious  minister  to  whose 
consideration  it  was  recommended  by  the  com- 
missioners of  trade,  easily  detected  the  fallacy  of 
its  reasoning ;  and  however  insensible  he  might 
have  been  to  he  suggestions  of  honour  and  mo- 
rality, he  declared  himself  deficient  in  the  hardi- 
hood necessary  for  carrying  into  execution  a  pro- 
ject at  once  so  full  oi  danger  and  so  pernicious  to 
commerce. 


144  HISTORY  OF 

Copy  of  sir  William  Keith's  scheme,  presented  to 
the  king  of  Great  Britain,  November.  1728, 
and  i  cj erred  in  council  to  tlie  lords  commissioners 
of  trade. 


«  TO  THE  KING'S  MOST  EXCELLENT  MAJESTY: 

"  May  it  please  your  Majesty, 

"  SINCE  the  observations  contained  in  the 
following  discourse,  were  occasionally  made  in 
your  majesty's  and  your  royal  father's  service 
abroad,  during  the  space  of  twelve  years;  f 
most  humbly  beg  leave  to  lay  them  at  your  royal 
feet,  as  a  natural  effect  of  the  purest  loyalty  to 
your  sacixd  person,  and  the  only  means  which  is 
left  in  my  power  to  serve  the  public,  and  to  de- 
monstrate that  I  am, 

"  May  it  please  your  Majesty, 

"  Your  Majesty's" 
"  Most  humble,  most  fathful  and 
"  Most  obedient  subject, 

W.  KEITH. 


A  SKORT  DISCOURSE  ON  THE  PRESENT  STATE 
it 


ti 


SPECT   TO   GREAT   BRITAIN. 


"  HAPPY  are  the  people  whose  lot  it  is  to  be 
governed  by  a  prince  who  does  not  wholly  de- 
pend upon  the  representations  of  others,  but 
makes  it  a  chief  part  of  his  delight  to  inspect  the 
condition  of  his  subjects,  according  to  their  se- 
veral ranks  and  degrees ;  who,  from  the  clearness 
of  his  own  mind,  distinguishes  the  true  merit  of 
his  servants,  leaving  the  liberties  and  properties 


VIRGINIA. 

of  His  people  to  be  equally  guarded  and  justly  de- 
fended by  a  punctual  execution  of  the  laws. 

"  THE  unbounded  extent  of  knowledge,  to  be 
clailv  acquired  by  the  judicious  inquiry  and  ap- 
plication of  such  a  prince  will  soon  abolish  the 
use  of  flattery,  and  the  pernicious  effects  of  all  de- 
signed misrepresentation.  The  paths  of  virtue 
arid  honour,  with  a  strict  adherence  to  truth,  will 
be  the  only  avenues  of  access  to  the  sovereign's 
esteem ;  and  the  royal  favour  in  such  a  reign, 
will  ever  be  agreeably  dispensed,  in  proportion 
to  the  useful  conduct  and  true  merit  of  the  parly. 

"  So  great  an  example  from  the  throne  will 
doubtless  inspire  every  honest  bi  east  with  a  better 
share  of  public  spirit  -  men's  thoughts  will  not 
then  be  so  intent  on  what  they  can  get  for  them* 
selves,  as  on  what  they  can  do  for  their  country. 
And  as  for  such  parts  of  the  prince's  prerogative 
and  executive  power,  as  necessarily  must  be  in- 
trusted with  ministers,  they  will  ever  be  thought 
an  lid  vantage  and  security  to  a  nation ;  while  the 
conduct  of  the  ministry  principally  shines  in  the 
support  of  liberty,  which  cannot  fail  to  gain  the 
hearts  and  affections  of  a  free  people. 

"•  WHEN,  either  by  conquest  or  increase  of 
people,  foreign  provinces  are  possessed,  and  co- 
lonies planted  abroad,  it  is  convenient  and  often 
necessary  to  substitute  little  dependent  provincial 
governments,  whose  people,  by  being  franchisee! 
and  made  partakers  of  the  liberties  and  privileges 
belorkgingto  the  original  mother  state,  are  jus:ly 
bound  by  its  laws  ;  and  become  subservient  to  its 
interests,  as  the  true  end  of  their  incorporation. 

•'  EvE.iY   act  of  a  dependent  provincial  go- 
vernment ought  therefore  to  teiminate  in  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  mother  state,   u   to  whom  it  owes 
itis  being,  and  by  whom  it  is  protected  ui  ail  i** 
T 


4(5  HISTORY  CfF 

CHAP,  valuable  privileges.  Hence  it  follows,  that  all  ad? 
*I  vantagecus  projects  or  commercial  gains,  in  any 
colon)  ,  which  art  truly  prejudicial  to  and  incon- 
sistent with  the  interest  of  the  mother  state,  must1 
be  understood  to  be  illegal,  and  the  practice  thereof 
unwarrantable:  because  they  contradict  the  end  for 
vhich  the  colony  had  a  being,  and  are  incompa- 
tible with  the  terms  on  which  the  people  claim 
both  privileges  and  protection. 

"  \\ERE  these  things  rightly  understood 
amongst  the  inhabitants  of  the  British  colonies  in 
America,  there  would  be  less  occasion  tor  such  in- 
structions and  strict  prohibitions  as  are  daily  sent 
from  England  to  regulate  their  conduct  in  many 
points.  The  very  nature  ot  the  thing  would  be 
sufficient  to  direct  their  choice,  in  cultivating 
such  parts  of  industry  and  commerce  only,  as 
vould  bring  some  advantage  to  the  interest  and 
trade  of  Great  Britain  :  They  would  soon  find 
b}  experience  that  this  was  the  solid  and  true 
foundation,  \\  hereon  to  build  a  real  interest  in  the-  it 
n  other  country,  and  the  certain  means  to  acquire; 
riches  \\ithoutenvy. 

'*ON  the  other  hand,  where  the  government 
of  a  provincial  colony  is  well  regulated  and  all  its 
business  and  con.  me  ice  truly  adapted  to  the  pro- 
per end  and  design  ot  the  first  seulement — such 
a  province,  like  a  choic^  branch  springing  from 
the  main  root,  ought  to  be  careful!)  nourished, 
aiid  its  just  interest  well  guarded.  No  little,  par* 
tiai  project,  or  party  gam,  should  be  suffered  to 
afkct  ii :  But  rather  it  ought  to  be  considered 
and  \\eighed  in  the  general  balance  of  the  \\hole 
state,  as  an  useful  and  profitable  member;  for 
such  is  the  end  of  all  colonies,  and  if  this  use 
cai»r-ot  be  made  of  them,  it  vvoulet  be  better  i#r 
the  state,  to  be  \\  ithotit  them. 


VIRGINIA. 

cf  IT  has  ever  been  the  maxim  of  all  polished  na- 
to  regulate  their  government  to  the  best  ad  van- 
tage  of  their  trading  interest ;  whence  it  may  be 
helpful  to  take  a  short  view  of  the  principal  benefits 
ari.-jii.g  to  Great  Britain  from  the  trade  of  the  co- 
lonies. 

4<  1.  THE  colonies  take  off  and  consume  above 
one  sixth  part  of  the  woollen  manufactures  t  x- 
p  or  ted  from  Great  Britain ;  which  is  the  chief 
staple  of  England,  and  the  main  support  of  the 
landed  interest. 

kl  2.  THEY. take  off  and  consume  more  ihan  dou- 
ble that  value  in  linen  and  cal.'icoes,  which  arp 
partly  the  product  of  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  partly 
the  profitable  returns  made  for  that  product  when 
parried  to  foreign  countries. 

"  3.  THE  luxury  of  the  colonies,  which  in- 
creases daily,  consumes  great  quantities  oi  hn- 
glish  manufactured  silks,  haberdashery,  house- 
hold furniture  and  trinkets  of  all  sorts  ;  us  also  a 
ver\  considerable  value  in  East  India  goods. 

"  4.  A  great  revenue  is  raised  to  the  crown  of 
Britain  by  returns  made  in  the  produce  of  tr.e 
plantations,  especially  tobacco;  which,  at  the 
same  time  helps  England  to  bring  nearer  to  a  ba- 
lance her  in  profitable  tnide  with  France. 

tk  5.  THESE  colonies  promote  the  interest  and 
trade  of  Britain,  by  a  vast  increase  of  shipping, 
and  seamen,  which  enables  them  to  earn  gveyt 
quantities  of  fish  to  Spain,  For  meal,  Leghorn, 
-&c. ;  furs  logwood  arc -rice  to  Holland,  where 
they  keep  Great  Britain  considoabi}  in  the  ba- 
lai.ce  of  trade  \\ith  those  countries. 

"  6.  IF  reasonably  encouraged,  the  colonies 
are  now  in  a  condition  to  furnish  Britain  uith  as 
much  of  the  following  commodities  as  it  can  de- 
mand, viz.  Masting  for  the  iiav}  and  all  sons  of 
kiiibtr,  hemp,  fiax,  pitch,  tai,  oil, 


48  HISTORY  OP 

CHAP,     per  ore,  vnth  pig  and  bar  iron ;  by  means  where* 
iL        oi  tlie  balance  of  trade  to  Russia  and  the  Baltic 
"may  be  vtry  much  reduced  in  favour  of  Great 
Lritain. 

kfc  7.  THE  profits  arising  to  all  those  colonies  by- 
trade,  are  returned  in  bullion,  or  other  useful  ef- 
fects, to  Great  Briiain;  where  the  supeifluous 
cash,  and  other  riches,  acquired  in  America^ 
must  centre ;  which  is  not  one  of  the  least  secu- 
rities that  B<  itain  has,  to  keep  tne  colonies  always 
iii  due  subjection.* 

*'  8.  THE  colonies  upon  the  -main  are  thq 
'granary  of  America,  and  a  necessary  support  ta 
tht  sugar  plantations  in  the  West  Indies,  which 
could  hot  subsist  wi  hout  them. 

"  BY  this  short  view  of  the  trade  in  general,  we 
"may  plainly  understand  that  these  colonies  may 
be  vei}  beneficially  employed  both  for  Great  Bri- 
tain and  tlum.stivis.  without  int<  rfering  vvuh 
any  ol  the  staple  manufactures  of  England.  And 
considering  the  bulk  and  end  of  the  whole  traf- 
fic, 'twere  pity  that  any  material  branch  of  it 
should  bt  depressed,  on  account  of  the  private 
and  particular  interests,  \\hich  in  comparison 
\vith  these,  cannot  justly  be  esteemed  a  national 
concern;  ior  if  the  trade  of  the  colonies  be  to 
the  advantage  of  Britain,  there  is  nothing  more 
certain  than  that  the  discouragement  of  any  sub- 
stantial branch,  lor  the  sake  of  any  company  or 


el 

**  Note.  If  this  maxim  was  true  in  1728,  ought  not  we, 
of  the  piesent  generation,  seriously  to  consider  what  will 
lx  the  probable  consequences  ot  our  trading  with  Britain  for 
mucks  ol  luxury  and  extravagance.  A  commerce,  \vl.ich 
rmi  only  luins  the  balance  oi  trade  against  us,  and  drains  us 
ol  our  circulating  cash,  but  also  keeps m>  consunuy  and1 
gnacbicu  to  Her? 


VIRGINIA.  149 

private  Interest,  would  be  a  loss  to  the  nation.     CH\P. 
tut,  hi  order  to  set  this  point   yet  in  a  clearer  _.J 
light,  we  will   proceed  to  consider  some  of  the 
most  obvious  regulations  in  the  Amencaa  trade, 
far  rendering  the   colonies  truly  serviceable   to 
•Great  Britain. 

"  1.  THAT  all  the  product  of  the  colonies,  for 
which  the  manufactures  and  trade  of  Britain  have 
-a  constant  demand,  be  enumerated  amongst  the 
-goods  uhich  b\  the  law  must  be  first  transport- 
ed to  Britain  before  they  -can  be  carried  to  any 
other  market. 

*4  -2.  THAT  even*  valuable  merchandize,  fotrvl 
in  the  English  colonies,  and  rarely  any  where 
•else,  and  for  which  there  is  a  constant  demand 
in  Europe,  shall  also  be  enumerated,  in  order  to 
assist  Great  B  itain  in  the  balance  of  trade  with 
other  countries. 

44  3.  THAT  all  kinds  of  woolen  manufactures, 
for  which  die  colonies  have  a  demand,  shall  con- 
tinue to  be  brought  from  Brrain  only,  and  linen 
from  Grtat  Britain  and  Ireland. 

44 '4.  ALL  other  kind  of  European  commodities 
to  bt  carried  to  the  colonies,  (salt  ex-jepied)  en- 
try- thrreof  first  to  be  made  in  Bi  itain,  before  iiuy 
can  be  transported  to  any  of  the  English  col  >r.ics. 
41  5.  THE  colonies  to  be  absolutely  restrained, 
in  their  several  governments,  from  laying  any 
manner  ot  duties  on  shipping  or  trade  iiom  Eu- 
rope, or  upon  European  goods  ti  ansporteci  iruiii 
one  colony  to  another. 

44  6.  THAT  the  acts  of  parliament  relating  to 
the  trade  and  government  of  the  colonies  be  re- 
vised, and  collected  into  one  distinct  body  of 
-laws,  for  the  use  of  the  plantations  and  of  such  as 
-trade  with  them. 

14  SUPPOSING  these  things  to  be  done,  it  will 
'evidently  ioiiow  that  the  more  extensive  the  traue 


15*  HISTORY  OF  ] 

of  the  colonies  is,  the  greater  will  be  the  advan- 
tage accruing  to  Britain  therefrom  ;  and,  conse- 
quently, that  the  enlargement  of  the  colonies,  and 
the  increase  of  their  "people,  would  still  be  an 
addition  to  the  national  strength.  All  smaller  im- 
provements, therefore,  pretended  and  set  up  top 
private  gain  by  the  lesser  societies,  in  Cireat  Bri- 
tain or  elsewhere,  although  they  might  have  i 
just  pretence  to  bring  some  sort  of  public  bcne'lt 
along  with  them;  yet  if  they  shall  appear  to  DC 
hurtful  to  the  much  greater  and  more  national  con- 
cern of  the  trading  useful  colonies,  they  ought  in 
justice  to  the  public  to  be  neglected  in  favour  of 
them.  It  being  an  unalterable  maxim,  that  a  les>er 
public  good  must  give  place  to  a  greaser ;  and 
that  it  is  of  more  moment  to  maintain  a  greater 
than  a  lesser  number  of  subjects  well  employee} 
to  the  advantage  of  any  state. 

%<  FROM  what  has  been  said  of  the  nature  of 
colonies,  and  the  restrictions  which  ought  to  be 
laid  on  their  trade,  it  is  plain  that  none  of  the  En- 
glish plantations  in  America  can,  with  an)  rea- 
son or  good  sense,  pretend  to  claim  an  absolute 
legislative  power  within  themsevles  :  So  that,  let 
their  several  constitutions  be  founded  on  ancient 
charters,  royal  patents,  custom  by  preemption,  or 
what  other  legal  authority  you  please,  yet  still 
they  cannot  be  possessed  of  any  rightful  capacity 
to  contradict  or  evade  the  true  intent  or  force  of 
any  act  of  parliament,  wherewith  the  wisdom  of 
Great  Britain  may  think  fit  to  affect  them,  from 
time  to  time:  And  in  discoursing  on  their  legis- 
lative powers  (improperly  so  called  in  a  depend- 
ent government)  we  are  to  consider  them  only  as 
so  many  corporations,  at  a  distance,  invested 
\vith  ability  to  make  temporary  bye  laws  for 
themselves,  agreeable  to  their  respective  situa- 
tious  and  climates,  but  no  ways  interfering 


VIRGINIA,  151 


leeral  prerogative  of  the  crown,  or  the  true  te- 
giMiuvv  •)•>  ver  of  tliv?  11  >;her  state. 
IF  the-  governors  and  general  assemblies  of  the  se- 
ooionies  would  be  pleased  to  consider  them- 
selves  in  this  ligh  ,  o  ic  woul  I  think  it  \vas  impossi- 
ble trR-y  could  be  so  weak  as  to  fancy  that  they  re- 
presented the  king;,  lords  and  Commons  of  Great 
Britain,  within  their  little  districts.  And  indeed 
the  useless,  or  rnther  hurtful  and  inconsistent 
constitution,  of  a  negative  council  in  all  the  king's 
provincial  governments,  contributed,  as  it  is  be- 
lieved, to  lead  them  into  this  mistake:  tor,  so 
lo  g  as  the  king  has  reserved  to  himself  in  his  privy 
council,  the  con:  ideratiun  of,  and  negative  upon, 
a;i  their  laws  ;  the  method  of  appointing  a  few  of 
the  richest  and  proudest  men  in  a  small  colony, 
as  an  upper  house,  with  a  negative  on  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  king's  lieutenant  governor,  and  the 
people's  representatives,  seems  not  only  to  cramp 
the  natural  liberty  of  the  subject  there,  but  also 
the  king'--  just  power  and  prerogative:  For  it  of- 
ten hap[>ens  th.it  very  reasonable  and  good  bills., 
sometimes  proposed  for  the  benefit  of  the  crown 
b\  the  wisdom  of  a  good  governor,  and  at  other 
tunes  offered  by  the  people's  representatives,  in. 
bi  half  of  their  constituents,  have  been  lost,  and  the 
of  su  %h  m  tele  impracticable,  by  the  ob- 
of  a  majority  i,i  the  council;  only  be- 
cause such  things  did  not  square  wkh  their  pri- 
vate particular  interest  and  gain,  or  with  the 
views  which  they  form  to  themselves,  by  assum- 
ing an  imagin.-rv  dignity  and  r;ink  above  all  the 
rest  of  i  he  kingS  subjects.  And  as  to  the  security, 
which  it  is  pretended  that  either  the  crown  or  pro- 
prietary ma\  have  by  s  teh  a  negative  council,  it  is 
i;t  quitt  otherwise;  for  that  caution  \vouldbe 
imicii  better  secured  ii  this  council  was  only  a 
council  oi  suite  to  acivibe  with  the  goveuioi,  and 


HISTORY  OF 

be  constant  witnesses  of  all  public  transactions- 3 
and  it  cannot  be  thought  that  an  officer  who  is  not 
only  under  oaths  and  bonds,  but  answerable  by 
law  for  his  misdeeds,  and  removable  at  pleasure, 
would,  in  the  face  of  witnesses  so  appointed, 
contradict  a  rational  advice,  thereby  subjecting 
himself  to  grievous  penalties  and  losses :  Nei- 
ther is  it  to  be  supposed  that  these  men,  if  they 
had  only  the  privilege  of  advising,  would  oppose 
such  good  bills  or  other  reasonable  propositions, 
as  they  well  knew  they  had  no  legal  power  to  re- 
ject. But  while  they  find  themselves  possessed 
ot  a  pei tmptory  negative,  without  being  in  any 
sort  accountable  for  their  opinions,  it  is  easy  to 
imagine  how  such  a  power  may  be  used  on  many 
occasions  to  serve  their  private  interests  and 
views  in  trade,  as  well  as  to  indulge  the  too  na- 
tural propensity  which  mankind  have,  especially 
abroad,  to  rule  over  and  oppress  their  poor  neigh- 
bours. Besides,  an  artful,  corrupt  governor  will 
find  means  by  preferments,  &c.  so  to  influence,  a 
negative  council,  that  knowing  themselves  to  be 
under  no  bonds,  or  any  other  valuable  penalty  to 
answer  the  party  aggrieved  b}  their  opinions,  they 
may  without  risk  proceed  in  such  manner  as  to 
screen  the  governor  in  mauy  things  which  other- 
wise he  would  be  personally  and  singly  bound  to 
account  for  in  a  legal  and  just  way. 

IF  then  a  council  of  state,  only  to  advise  with 
the  governor,  shall  appear  (in  all  emergencies  and 
cases  that  can  be  proposed)  to  be  equally  useful, 
and  not  attended  with  the  inc  n  istences,  ob- 
structions and  disadvantages  of  a  negative  coun- 
cil ;  the  one  seems  to  be  much  preferable  to  the 
other,  and  more  agreeable  to  that  liberty  and  just 
equality  which  is  established  by  the  common  law 
amongst  Englishmen,  and  consequently  less  pro- 


VIRGINIA.  153 

dnctive  of  those  grievances  and  compl  >ints  which     CH \p. 
have  been  so  frequent  hitherto   from  the  planta-  '  ^  ui__. 
lions. 

"  A  T  first  view  it  will  appear  natural  enough  for 
an  Englishman,  who  has  tasttd  the  sweetness  of 
that  freedom  which  is  ei  joyed  u:-der  the  happy 
constitution  of  king,  lords  and  commons  of  Great 
Britain,  to  imagine  that  a  third  part  should  be 
formed  in  the  little  governments  of  the  planta- 
tions, in  imitation  of  the  house  of  lords; 
but  if  we  might  rightly  consider"  it,  that  part  of 
the  constitution  is  alrt-ady  most  pro;  erly  and  fully 
supplied  by  the  lords  of  his  nvjes  y's  privy 
council :  Jjcsic'es,  let  us  suppose,  that  instead  of 
an  house  of  lords  in  Britain,  a  like  number  of 
select  commoners  were  invested  with  a  power  to 
set  apart,  and  to  put  a  negative  upon  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  house  of  commons,  consist!  ng1 
of  three  times  the  number  of  persons  of  equal 
rank,  and  representing  all  the  commons  of  Great 
Britain  in  parliament,  the  inconsistency  and  un- 
reasonableness of  the  tin- g  does  prtsen  ly  ob- 
trude itself  upon  our  minds;  and  yet,  su<:h  is 
the  very  case  of  that  negative,  which  is  now 
practiced  b}  the  councils  in  ,*m<-rica. 

NEXT  to  the  Iegi>lat've  po^er.   we  shall  pro- 
ceed to  consider  th»  civsl  jurisdr  tion  in  the  plan    ~ 

,.,,,.  .     ,  On  the  civil 

tations,  which  b}  their  ov  n  ans  is  branched  out 

into  so  ma-iy  different  forms,  almost  in  each  co 
Icny,  thi.t  it  is  scarcely  pracricable  to  reduce  them 
under  such   heads,  in  any  one  di*oou;se,  as   to 
make  it  intelligible  to  those  who  are  altogether 
unacquainted  with  American  affairs. 

"  IT  is  generally  acknowlegd  in  the  plantations 
that  the  subject  is  entitled  by  birth  ri^hr  u  .'o  fhe 
benefit  of  the  common  law  of  England;  but 
U 


S4i  HISTORY  OF     „ 

CTTAP.     as  fhe  common  law  has  been  altered  from  time  t& 
timt,  and  restricted  by  statutes,  it  is  still  a  ques- 
tion in   many  of  the  American  courts  of  judica-' 
ture,  whether  any  of  the  English  statutes,  which 
do  not  particularly  mention  the  plantations,  can? 
be  of  foice  there  until  they  be  brought  over,  by 
some  act  of  assembly  in  that  colony  whe.it  they 
are  pleaded  ;  and  this  creates  such  con  fusion,  that 
according  to  the  art  or  influence  of  the  lawyers •• 
and    attoVmcs    before  the  judges,   who  by  their 
education   are   but  indifferently  qualified  for  that 
service,  they    sometimes   allow  the  iorce  of  the 
particular  statutes,  and   at  other  times  reject  the 
Whole,  cpeciaily  if  the  bench  is  inclinable  to  be 
partial,  which  too   frequently   happens  in   these 
new  and  unset  ltd  countries;  and  as  men's  liber, 
ties  and  proper?  its  in  any    a- in  try  depend  chiefly 
en  an  impartial  and  equal  administration,  of  jus- 
tice, this  is  one  of  the  most  material  grievances 
which  the  subjects  of  America  have  just  cause  to 
complain  of;   but  while  for  the  want  of  schools 
and  otrur  proper  in  struct  ioi>  in  the  principles  of 
moral  virtue,  their  people  are  not  so  uell   quali- 
fied even  to  serve  on  juries,  and  much  less  toa/:t 
on  a  bench  of  judicature,  it  seems  impracticable 
to  provide  a  remedy  until  a  sufficient  revenue  be 
found  out  amongst  them,  lo  support  the  charge  of 
sending  judges  from  England,  to  take  their  circuits 
by  turns  in  the  several  colonies  on  the  main,  which 
if  it  is  thought  worthy  of  consideration,  will  ap- 
pe^r  neither  to  be  improper  nor  impracticable, 
and  unril  that  can  be  done,  all  other  attempts  to 
rectify   their  courts  of  law  will  be  fruitless  and 
in  ay  be  suspended. 

"  COURTS  of  chancery  which  are  known  to  be 
accessary  in.  many  cases  to  correct  the  severity  of 
the  common  kw^  j»eem  to  subsist  there  on  a  most 


VIRGINIA; 

precarious  footing;  for  it  does  not  appear  that  CHAP. 
tntre  is  a  proper  and  legal  authority  to  hold  such  _ 
a  court  in  any  of  'he  colonies;  nevertheless,  by  " 
custom  every  where  some  kind  of  chancery  -is 
to  be  found  in  one  form  or  other;  so  that  when  a 
rich  man  designs  to  coutest  am  thir.gdn  dispu'.e 
with  nis  poor  neighbour,  if  he  can  contrive  ta 
bring  into  cha  icery  he  is  sure  the  matter  will 
rarely  or  never  be  brought  to  issue;  which  on 
many  occasions  proves  an  iirolerable  oppression ; 
\vherefore,  it  is  hoped  that  so  high  a  jurisdiction, 
issuing  immediately  from  the  crown,  will  in  due 
time  be  put  on  a  more  regular  and  certain  esta- 
blishment. 

tk  A -MILITIA   in  an  arbitrary  and  tyrannical  On  the  mi- 
governuient  may   possibly  be  of  some  service  to 
the  governing  power,  but  we  learn  from  experi- 
ence  that  in  a  free  country  it  is  of  little  use  :  The 
people  in  the  plantations  are  so  lew  in  proportion 
to  the  lands   they    possess,   that   servants  bting 
scarce  and  slaves  excessively  dear,  the  men  a  e 
generally  under  a  necessity   there  to   \vork  hard 
the .n selves    in    order   to    provide    the   common 
necessaries  of  life  for  their  families;  so  that  they 
cannot  spare  a  day's  time   without  great   lovs  to 
their  interest;   wherefore,  a  militia   th-re  would 
become  more   burthensome   to  the  pooi   people 
than  it  can  be  in   any  part  of  Europe;   ton  ,  be- 
sides, it  may    be  questioned  how  far   it  would 
consist  with  good  p  b  y  to  accustom  all  the  u  le 
men  in  the  colonies  to  be  AV  11  exercised  in  arms, 
it  seems  at  present  to  be  more  advisable  to  ktep 
up  a  small,  regular  standing  force  in  ea -h  pro- 
vince,  which   might  be  readily  augmented  for  a 
time,  if  occasion  did   require,  and  thus,  in  case 
©f  war  or  rebellion,  the   whole   of    the  rrfTM».;r 
droops  might  JDe  without  luoo  of  time  uuucd   or 


56  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  d'srrihuted  at  pleasure,  ai.d  if,  as  ha?  been  said 
beioic,  a  suitable  revenue  abroad  can  be  raised 
lor  the  defence  and  support  of  the  plantations,  it 
would  be-  no  diffi<  ult  matter  both  to  form  and  ex.- 
icine  a  proper  scheme  of  this  nature. 

<l  LAXD  is  so  plenty  and  to  be  had  so  very 
cheap  in  America,  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
a  tenant  to  he  found  in  that  country,  tor  every 
man  is  a  1  mdiord  in  fee  of  what  he  possesses,  a-  d 
only  pays  a  small  quit  or  ground  rent  to  the  lord 
of  the  soil ;  and  this  makes  it  impracticable  to 
ii.:d  an  assembly  of  such  f  eeholders  in  any  of 
the  colonies,  who  will  consent  to  lay  any  tax  up- 
on Lnds,  nor  indeed  is  it  to  be  expected  they 
should  voluntarily  agree  to  raise  any  revenue 
amongst  themselves,  except  what  is  alx  Knely 
ru  a  SSITV  ior  erecting  court  houses,  bridges, 

I  ,,j.h  \\:;ys  and  other  needful  expenses  of  their  ci- 
vil gcveinmeiit,   which  is  con-inoiily  levied  upon 
stock,  an  excise  on  foreign  liquors  retailed,   or  a 
small  poll  tux,  and  the  public  there  is  generally 
ii   dtibt,   because   the-}  are   extremely  jealous  <;f 
ai'cnipts  upon  their  liberties;  mid  apprehensive. 

II  1 1  if  lit  L'.n}  time  the  public  irt^^un  vvais  lich  it 
rright   prrvc  too  great  a  temptation  for  an  artiul 
i.<  vcrr.or,  in  conjunction  with  their  own  repre- 
sentative's, to  divide-  the  spoil  and  betiay  them. 

ik  IT  must  beailoued  that  a  share  e)i  personal 
ii'tertbt,  or  si-if  lv-ve,  i;. flue-nets,  in  soihe  eiegiee, 
every  m;.n ;  aftlciiexn  gives  a  natural  impulse  to 
all  our  actions,  and  ihough  this  is  most  percepti- 
ble in  trade  or  commercial  affairs,  }et  there  is 
not  any  other  transaction  in  tile  that  passes  with- 
out it;  and  as  it  is  with  men  in  this  ca^e,  so  we 
find  it  has  ever  been  with  all  states  or  bodies  po- 
litic, so  long  as  they  au  cl<  j:(  ndent  ore  upon  anq- 
die  wisdom  oi  the,  ciovvii  oi  bauuii,  there- 


VIRGINIA.  157 


re,  by  keeping  its  colonies  in  that  s^u^on.   is     CHAP. 
v<  »y  much  to  be  applauded;   while  they  continue  ____  UL.  _^ 
so  it  is  morally   impossible   that  any   dangerous 
UP.  ion    can   be   formed    amongst  them,   because 
their  interest  in  trade  and  all  manner  of  business 
being  entirely  separated   by  their  independency, 
e\vry  advantage  that  i^  lost  or  neglected  by   o  .e 
colony,  is  immediately  picked  up  'oy  another  ;  :'    1 
the  emulation  that  continually    subsists  betw     i 
tl  :em  in  a'l  manner  of  intercourse  and  tr  iiii  ;,  i-->       r 
productive  of  envies,  jealousies  and  cares  how  to 
£  -in  upon  each  other's  conduct  in  government  or 
trade,  every  onetherebx  endeavouring  to  mag  iify 
their  pretensions    to  the  favour  ot  ihe  cn>  vn,    >y 
becoming  mo.  e  useful    than  their  neighbours  to 
the  interest  oi  Great  Britain.     But  to  render  the 
colonies  still  more  considerable  to.  Britain,  aid°nrflpma- 
the  management  of  their  affairs  much  moie  eas\  "j1^  ncnt 
to  die  king  and  his  ministers  at  home,   it   would  °,orSVf]rVrs 
be   convenient  to  appoint  particular  officers   in  in  England. 
England,  oisly  ior  dispatch  of  business   belong- 
ing to  tte  plantations,  for  often  persons  tiiat  co;ii^ 
irom  America  on  purpose  either  to  complain  or  to 
support  their  own  just-  rights,  are  at  a  kns  how  or 
whereto  apply  ;  this  uncertainty  does  not  only  fa- 
tigue the  ministers,  but  frequenth  terminates  in 
destruction  of  the   part},   by  his  being  reie 
iiom  office  to  office,   until!  both   his  mov 
patience  be  wore  out;  such  things  in  time  may 
L  AJ[  people's  afiections,  and  give  them  too  meai 
an  opinion  of  the  justice  of  their  mother  country, 
•uinch  ought  caiefully  to  be  prevented,  fjr  where 
tuere  is  liberty  the   inhabitants  will  certainly  <  >;- 
pcct  right,  and  still  have  an  eye  towards  ouia.. 
ii  one   way  or  other. 

"IT  ma}  be  considered  ,  therefore,  how  fur  it 
LK  bcrviucoUiC  lo  put  ua  tac  ci'uvvii'a  oiv  J. 


158  HISTORY  OF 


CHAP.  .  etfircr*;  fa  the  plantations,  of  what  kind  soever, 
..L'  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  trade,  trr-m, 
"  whom  they  might  receive  their  several  depura- 
tions or  appointments,  and  to  whom  they  ouprht 
to  be  accountable  both  for  their  receipts  and  ma- 
nagement, and  if  a  particular  secretary  was  ap- 
pointed for  the  plantation  affairs  only,  or  ii  the 
first  lord  commissioner  of  that  board  was  permit- 
ted to  have  daily  access  to  the  king,  in  order  to 
receive  his  rrajesty's  coirmai  ds  in  all  bv.vi- 
nesses  relating  to  the  plantations,  the  subject's 
application  would  be  reduced  into  so  narrow  a 
compass,  and  the  board  of  trade  would  always 
be  so  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  king's  plea- 
sure, that  great  dispatch  might  be  given,  even  to 
those  distant  matters,  without  taking  up  too 
much  of  the  ministry's  time,  and  interfering 
with  other  (perhaps)  more  important  business  ; 
the  people  of  the  colonies  would  be  pleastfl  to 
find  themselves  thus  equally  regarded  without 
tiving  one  any  undue  preference  to  another,  and 
all  the  rents,  revenues,  and  other  profits  in  any 
manner  arising  from  the  plantations  would  then 
centre  in  one  place,  where  another  proper  mem- 
Ixr  of  the  same  board  might  be  appointed  trea- 
surer of  that  particular  revenue,  to  answer  all 
such  orders  as  should  be  issued  from  time  to 
time,  for  the  plantation  service,  and  as  the  re- 
venue from  America  would  in  all  probability  be 
increased  daily,  it  may  reasonably  be  expected 
that  the  expense  of  paying  the  board  of  trade, 
and  other  officers  wholly  employed  in  the  planta- 
tion affairs,  which  is  now  borne  by  the  civil  list, 
\\ould  then  more  proper!)  arise  and  be  discharged 
out  of  the  American  fund,  the  overplus  remain- 
ing would  in  time  become  a  most  useful  stock 
lor  .purchasing  oi  the  proprietary  lands,  erecting 


VIRGINIA.  I5§ 

forts,  and  extending  the  present  settlement^  as     CH\p. 
far  as  the  great  lakes,  or  might  he  applied  to  such      ..  n      „ 
other  uses  as  his  majesty  should  think  proper  for 
that  service. 

"  ALL  that  has  been  said  in  respect  of  the  im- 
provement of  the  plantations  <vill,  it  is  supposed,  of  a  revs, 
signify  very  little  unless  a  sufficient  revenue  can  nue  tn 
be  raised  to  support  the  needful  expense,   in  or-  A.uerica, 
der  to  which  it  is  humbly  submitted,  whether  the 
duties  of  stamps  upon  parchment  and  paper  in  En- 
gland, may  not  with  good  reason  be  extended  by 
act  of  parliament  to  all  the  American  plantations. 

*'  WHEN  we  do  but  cast  an  eye  upon  the  vast 
tracts  of  land,  and  immtiibe  riches,  which  the  Conclusion 
Spanish  nation  have,  in  little  more  than  one  cen- 
turv,  very  oddly  acquired  in  America,  insomuch 
that  the  simple  privilege  of  trading  with  them, 
on  very  high  terms  too,  is  become  a  prize  worth 
contending  for,  amongst  the  greatest  powers  in 
K  ii  rope ;  surely  we  must  on  due  reflection  ac- 
knowledge that  the  preservation  and  enlargement; 
of  the  English  settlements  in  those  parts,  is  of 
the  last  consequence  to  the  trade,  interest  and 
strength  of  Great  Britain  :  And  moreover,  con- 
siderinp;  how  that  the  last  resort  of  justice  in 
the  plantations  is  solely  lodged  in  the  k in grs -sa- 
cred person  ;  with  the  advisement  of  his  majes- 
ty's privy  council,  exclusive  of  \Vestminster- 
hiill  or  any  other  judicature,  the  brightening  that 
jewt-1  in  the  crown  may  not,  perhaps,  bethought 
unworthy  of  the  present  happy  reign,  to  which 
the  improvement  and  future  security  of  so  large  a 
]>  rt  of  the  British  dominions,  the  advancement 
of  trade,  and  universally  supporting  the  glorious 
cause  of  liberty,  sterns  to  be  reserved  by  the  pe* 
euliar  hand  of  providence." 


160  HISTORY  OF 

TJr MUTELY  connected  with  this  project  is  the 
proclamation*   of  governor  Dimiiddie,   reciting 
a    resolution  of  the   parliament  of  England,  re- 
specting some  proceedings  oi  the  assembly  of  the 
of  Jamaica.     Nothing  tends  more  forcibly 


*   Virginia^  ss. 

FY   THE   RIGHT  HONOURABLE  ROBERT  DINWIDDIE, 

Licuttnant-gwernor,    and   commander    in  chief  of  the   $ai& 
colony  and  dominion. 

"WHEREAS  T  have  received  from  the  right  honourable 
tlit;  lords  commissioners  for  trade  and  plantations,  a  copy 
of  the1  resolution  of  the  house  of  commons  of  the  23d  of 
>•.  y  1757,  upon  certain  resolutions  of  the  assembly  of  the 
island  oi  JuiMtioa,  on  the  29th  of  October,  1753,  to  the 
emi  that  his  majesty's  subjects  in  this  colony  maybe  fully 
appiized  of  tht  sense  of  that  house  upon  such  extraordinary 
clam  s;  I  have,  therefore,  thought  fit  by  and  with  the  ad- 
vice of  his  rrpjtsty's  council,  to  cause  the  same  to  be  pub- 
lished in  the  Gazette,  a  true  copy  v  hereof  is  as  follows,  viz. 

The  order  of  the  day  being;  read  for  receiving  the  report 
ft  m  ihe  coairriUee  of  the  whole  house,  to  whom  it  was  re- 
ferred to  consider  further  of  the  several  pnpers  which  were 
presented  to  the  hf.u?e  upon  the  18th  and  24th  days  of  Fe- 
bmary,  and  the  1 7th  day  of  March,  in  the  last  session  of 
p  rliamcnt,  i  dating  to  the  then  governor,  council,  and  assem- 
bly 'i»  Jamaica,  and  of  the  other  papers  referred  to  the  said 
committee.  Mr.  Thomas  Gore  accordingly  reported  fro!n 
the  said  committee,  the  resolutions  which  the  committee  had 
div*  f-rtd  him  to  report  to  the  house,  which  he  read  in  his 
1 !  .<  f,  and  afterwards  delivered  in  at  the  table,  where  the 
saif1  were  again  read  and  are  as  followeth,  viz. 

Evolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  that 
the  resolution  of  the  assembly  of  the  island  of  Jamaica, 
contained  in  the  minutes  of  the  said  assembly  of  the  29th. 
<lay  of  October,  1753,  in  the  wf.-rds  following,  viz.  Resolved, 
that  it  is  the  inherent  and  undoubted  right  of  the  represent- 
ahves  of  the  people  to  raise  and  apply  monies  for  the  ser- 
vice, s  and  exigencies  of  government,  and  to  appoint  such, 
person  or  persons  for  the  receiving  and  bsuing  thereof,  as 


VIRGINIA;  161 

to  prove  the  extreme  jealousy  of  her  colonies,     CHAP. 
entertained  by  the  mother  country  than  this  paper, 
and  that,  although  die  plan  ol  Keith  was  not  act- 
ed on,  she  was  resolved  to  discountenance  any 


they  shall  think  proper;  which  rights  this  hmse  hath  ex- 
erted, and  4  ill  always  exert  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  judge 
most  conducive  to  the  service  of  his  majesty  and  the  interest 
of  his  people ;  so  far  as  the  same  imports  a  claim  of  right 
in  i he  said  assembly  to  raise  and  apply  public  money  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  governor  and  council,  is  illegal,  un- 
constitutional, and  derogatory  of  the  rights  of  the  crown 
at  id  people  of  Great  Britain. 

Rt  solved,  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  that  the 
six  last  resolutions  of  the  assembly  of  Jamaica,  of  the  29th 
ot  October,  1753,  proceed  upon  a  manifest  m:-sapp«ehe  -s-.on, 
of  his  majes-y's  instructions  to  his  governor,  requiring  him 
no  to  give  his  assent  to  any  bill  of  an  unusual  and  extraordi- 
nary nature  and  importance,  wherein  his  majesty's  preroga- 
tive, or  property  of  his  subjects  may  be  prejudiced,  or  the 
trade  or  shipping  of  this  kingdom  be  anywise  affected,  un- 
less there  be  a  clause  inserted  suspending  the  execution  of 
such  bill  until  his  majesty's  pleasure  be  known,  and  that 
such  instruction  is  just  and  necessary,  and  no  alteration  of 
the  constitution  of  that  island,  nor  any  way  derogatory  to 
the  rights  of  his  subjects  ther«. 

The  first  resolution  of  the  committee  being  read  a  second 
time,  was,  with  an  amendment  thereto,  agreed  to  by  the 
house,  and  is  a-,  folioweth,  via 

Resolved,  that  the  resolution  of  the  assembly  of  the 
island  of  Jamaica,  contained  in  the  minutes  of  the  said  as- 
sembly of  the  29th  day  of  October,  1753,  iu  the  words  fol- 
lowing, vz.  Resolved,  that  it  is  the  inherent  and  undoubted 
right  of  the  representative*  of  the  people,  to  raise  and 
apply  monies  for  the  exigencies  of  government,  and  to  ap- 
point such  person  or  persons  for  the  receiving  and  issuing 
thereof,  as  they  shall  think  proper,  which  right  this  house 
hath  always  exerted,  and  will  always  exert  in  such  manner 
as  they  shall  judge  most  conducive  to  the  service  of  his  ma- 
jesty and  the  interests  of  the  people,  so  far  as  the  sanr.e  im- 
ports a  claim  of  righ  in  the  said  assembly  to  raise  and  ap- 
ply public  uionc),  without  the  consent  of  the  governor  and 
VV 


f>*  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP*  thing  like  a  strong  assertion  of  rights  in  the  colo> 
.  niiils.  Dinwiddie,  vvho  arrived  in  Virginia  in 
1752,  was  speciall}  charged  to  lay  the  Jamaica 
resolutions,  accompanied  by  those  of  the  British 
parliament,  before  the  assembly,  for  the  purpose 
of  deterring  them  from  any  similar  pretensions, 
which  would  only  have  a  tendency  to  excite  the 
resentment  of  the  national  legislature. 

1  HAVE  at  length  brought  to  a  close  an  <era  in 
history  barren  in  incident,  but  the  night  is  passing 
off,  and  the  dawn  of  the  American  morning  faintly 
ai  pears  in  the  horizon.  If  1  should  fail  adequately 
to  describe  its  mild  radiance  or  the  blaze  of  its 
meridian  glory,  it  will  yet  be  impossible  by  any 
defect  of  mine,  wholly  to  shroud  them  from  the 
admiration  of  the  world. 


council,  is  illegal,  repugnant  to  the  terms  of  his  majesty's 
con  -missions  to  his  governor  of  the  said  island,  and  deroga- 
tory to  the  crown  and  the  rights  of  the  people  of  Great  Bri- 
tain. 

The  second  resolution  of  the  commi  tee  1  eing  read  a  se- 
cond time, an  amendment  was  made  thereunto  by  the  house. 

The  house  was  movtd  that  the  entries  in  the  journal  of 
the  house  of  the  21st  and  23d  days  of  December,  1678,  of 
the  proceeding  of  the  house  in  relation  to  the  bill  for  grant- 
ii-g  a  supply  to  his  majesty  for  paying  off  and  disbanding 
the  forces,  may  be  read  thus. 

And  the  same  were  read  accordingly. 

Then  the  said  resolution  so  amended  was  agreed  to  by  the 
house,  and  is  as  follow*  th,  viz. 

Resolved,  that  the  claim  in  the  said  resolution  of  a  right 
-in  the  assv  mbly  to  appoint  such  person  or  persoi>*  for  the  re- 
ceiving and  issuing  ot  public  nv  ney  as  the  said  assen  bly 
shall  think  proper,  is  illegal,  repugnant  to  the  terms  of  his 
majesty's  commissions  to  his  governor  of  the  said  inland, 
and  derogatory  to  the  rights  of  thecroxvnof  Great  Britain. 

The  last  resolution  of  the  committee  being  lead  a  second 
time,  was  agreed  to  by  the  fcousc, 


CHAPTER  III. 


Daivn  of  Amet  ican  genius.  Confederacy  of  the 
American  colonies  against  France. — Examina- 
tion of  the  causes  which  led  to  this  event. — Past 
disproportion  between  English  and  Fnnch  power 
in  America. — Reasons  of  the  temporary  ascend- 
ance of  France  — Ohio  company. — Encroach- 
ment on  their  territory.  Governor  Dimviddie 
rtsofoes  to  remonstrate — Selects  George  Wash- 
ington to  bear  his  message  to  the  French  com- 
mandant on  the  Ohio. — The  dangers  and  difficul- 
ties of  this  mission. — He  delivers  the  message, 
and  receives  a  polite  denial. — The  assembly  make 
provision  for  expelling  the  Intruders. — A  regi- 
ment is  raised. -~ Governor  of  Canada  issues  or- 
ders 10  act  offensively. — Logs  town  sw prized. — 
Jl^ons.  Contreceur  issues  from  the  port  of  Ve- 
nango  with  jQO  canoes — Surprizts  the  Ameri- 
can Jort  at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  fifo- 
nongahela  -—Affair  at  Little  Meadows  — Death, 
oj  Jumonville. — Capture  oj  the  French  detach- 
ment — Junction  effected  between  the  different 
detachments  at  Great  Meadows  • — Information 
is  received  that  a  large  body  of  French  is  ap- 
proaching —  Distress  and  danger  of  the  Virgi- 
nians.— Retutn  to  Fort  Necessity — Are  attacked 
by  the  French  and  Indians,  -who  are  repuL  ed — > 
They  sut  render  on  favour  able  terms — Ate  haras- 
sed by  the  Indians  after  capitulation — Reach 

-  -hmchester  in  safety. — Stobo  and  Fan  Braam 


164 

CHAP.         the  hostages — T/;eir  extraordinary  adventures. 
—  La   Force.      Liberal  conduct  of  assembly  to 
the  Virginia  troops. — Governor   D'nnmddie  is- 
sues  orders  that  they  should  agnin  cross  ihe  Al- 
legheny.— Washington    remonstrates    in     vain 
against  this  order. — Assembly  rcjuse  to  appro- 
priate funds  /or  the  completion  of  the  regiment 
and  independent  companies. — Governors  disap- 
pointment and  mortification.      Virginia  regiment 
reduced  to  independent  companies.      Regulations 
respecting  rank  introduce  d  by  ttrnish  govci  rum  nt. 
Washington  resigns.      General  Braddock  arrives 
ivit/i  a   bod*  oj    regular   troops — An  ends    the 
council  of  war  at  Annapolis.     Assembly. — Libe- 
rality of  Assembly. — Satisfaction  oj  Governor. 
The  army  moves  from  Alexandria.      Washing- 
ton* by  invitation  of  1'raddock,  acts  as  volunteer 
aid. — His  opim>?i  submitted  to  a  council  oj  Wuv, 
and  adopted  — T/;e  general  pushes  on  'with  the 
tj.ain  body — (-ol   Dunhar  le'/t  behind  to  proceed 
sloivly  with  the  baggage — Army  crosses  the  Mo- 
nangahtla  in  order  of  batd  — Is  attacked  ivit  am 
six  miles  r/  Fort  Duquesne  by  a  body  of  French 
end  Indians — Is  routed  with  great  slaughter  — 
1  anic  of  the  regular  troops.  —  Dtath  o/  Brad- 
dock  —  Coolness  and  bravery  of   Washington  and 
the  provincials — They  co^er  the  tet^ut  of  the 
army. — T/.eir  extreme  sufferings  in  their  ret  eat. 
Washington  is  sent  bcjoie  to  iht  camp  of  Dun- 
bar.   TJ<e  arny  reaches  Fort  Cumberland.  Dun- 
bar  goes  to  r/uladttj  hia.      Drear ful  incursions 
GJ  the  Indians,     ^n  assembly — Their  liberality 
—  Order  a   regimmt  to  consist  of  sixteen  com- 
panies.     It  G  flung  ton  appomtcd  commander  in 
chief  of  the  colonial  troops.     Dissolution  of  as- 
stii.bly.      Viciv  oj  the  war  in  the  other  parts  of 
America.     A  Jast  ordered  by  proclamation.   JDe- 


165 


parture  of  Dinwidiie.  John  Blair  president.  Assf^t- 
bly  — President's  speech.  Answer  of  assembly.  Dawn 
of  M  .  Pitt's  vigour.  Francis  bauquier  governor.  As- 
sembly dissolved.  —  New  assembly  —  John  Robinson  speak- 
er* General  Forbes  marches  towards  Fort  Duqutsne  — 
Virginians  move  in  detachments  from  Winchester  Battle 
of  Loyal  Hanny.  Defeat  and  slaughter  of  the  British. 
Celebrated  retreat  of  captain  Bullet.  Fort  Duquetne 
evacuated.  An  assembl\  Death  of  Fauquier—His 
character.  View  of  the  war  in  the  other  colonies. 


CHAPTER  III. 


HITHERTO  we  have  witnessed  the  Ameri-  CHAP: 
ean  provinces,  singly  and  unconnected,  exerting 
their  efforts  tor  the  protection  of  their  frontieis 
against  their  savage  neighbours,  or  occasionally 
furnishing  a  scanty  and  ungracious  aid  to  the  pa- 
rent state.  Though  sprung  from  the  same  com- 
mon stock,  strong  prejudices,  arising  from  a  dif- 
ference of  charters  and  the  jealousy  of  commercial 
competition,  had  tainted  the  mindb  of  the  colonists; 
and  though  they  generally  s}  mpathized  \\  ith  the 
mother  country  in  her  good  or  ill  fortune,  and 
imagined  that  as  Biiiish  subjects  they  were 
equally  participators  in  the  glory  of  her  arms  and 
the  wisdom  of  her  politica.1  institutions :  To  each 
other  their  deportment  was  cold  and  formal ;  and 
their  friendship  appeared  rather  the  result  of  a 
sense  of  duty  than  the  impulse  of  feeling  or  at- 
tachment. A  new  and  more  splendid  sera  arises 
on  our  view.  By  an  almost  supernatural  agency, 
starting  all  at  once  into  manhood,  new  ideas  arise  ; 
ivith  their  strength  and  boldness  springs  out  the 
consciousness  of  rheir  power.  Driven  into  an 
union  by  the  sense  of  common  danger,  and  the 
sleepless  ambition  of  an  active  and  daring  foe, 
they  sink  their  local  prejudices  and  hy  tiie  foun- 
dation of  an  American  i  haracter.  The  dawn  of  Diwn  of 
genius  appears;  a  thirst  f>r  glory;  a  taste  for  America* 
elegance  and  refinement  LS  introduced  with  wealth 
and  commerce :  Grown  every  day  better  ac- 
quainted with  tae  rich  and  varied  ^rodactious  of 


168  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  the  British  classics,  their  minds  are  smitten  with 
the  delicate  and  exalted  passions  which  they  so 
fcbly  pourtray. 

rl  HIS  sera  may  not  inaptly  be  called  the  cradle 
of  American  literature.  Here  \\  ere  nursed  those 
hard}  aisd  luminous  spiiits,  who  in  arts  and  arms 
vert  alter  wauls  to  rival  the  worthies  of  antiquity. 
!Names  ul.ich  tall  up  images  of  honour  and  virtue, 
of  extensive  bei^e  volt  .-net  and  consummate  wisdom 
were  at  this  time  imbibing  the  sublime  precepts 
and  storing  up  the  bright  examples  of  the  anci- 
ent sages.  In  this  sera  were  slowly  formed  the 
eltnents  of  revolution ;  and  then  first  was  pro- 
jected the  model  of  that  federal  confederacy,  which 
afterwards  wrought  into  a  more  perfect  form  was 
attci  dcel  with  so  many  eventful  and  beneficial 
consequences. 

BRITAIN  saw  for  a  longtime,  in  this  confede- 
racy, only  the  means  of  advancing  her  own  glory 
and  the  extension  of  her  empire.  She  little 
thought  that  an  union,  apparently  calculated  only 
to  him  ble  the  power  of  her  enemies  and  exalt 
l,er  own,  would  one  day  effect  an  impairment  of 
1  er  strength  and  a  dismemberment  of  her  terri- 
tory. 

IT  may  not  be  amiss  to  examine  the  causes 
\vhich  ltd  to  this  union.  The  inquiry  w^ill  lead 
us  I  eyor.d  the  limits  we  have  prescribed  to  our- 
fcclveV;  but  it  uill  give  us  a  more  clear  and  corn- 
pit  he nsive  view  of  the  comparative  relations  of 
the  British  colonies  ;  ar.d  by  shewing  it  once  the 
\vhole  ground,  enable  us  to  correct  the  defects  of 
a  more  partial  and  limited  prospect. 

BY  an  inspection  of  the  map  will  be  seen  the 
vast  Disproportion  between  the  1  nnch  and  En- 
glish colonies  in  North  America.  The  one  inha- 
Li.nig  the  margin  of  the  ocean  and  the  mouths 
and  banks  of  ail  the  rivers  as  high  as  their 


VIRGINIA;  \ 

sources,  which   discharged  themselves  into   it,     CHAP. 
cpjoytd  under  a  genial  sky  and  an  extensive  and  _ 
adventurous  commerce,  ail  the  blessings  which 
wealth  and   independence   could   bestow.     The 
cities  were  crowded;  their  fit  ids  teemed  with  fer- 
tility ;  and  their  rapid   growth  portended  at  no 
distant  day  the  total  extinguishment  of  French  or 
Spanish  power  on  the  American  continent. 

THE  position  of  the  French  on  the  o  her  hand 
was  in  the  highest  degree  unfavourable.  Shut 
out  from  the  ocean,  except  by  the  streams  of  the 
St.  Laurence  and  the  Mississippi,  and  a  few 
cheerless  settlements  on  the  shorts  of  Acadie, 
the}  seemed  in  these  cold  and  unsociable  regions 
kss  to  live  than  to  prolong  an  existence.  But 
notwithstanding  this  striking  disparity  in  their 
stiength,  there  were  some  circumstances  which 
seemed  to  bring  the  parties  more  on  a  level,  and 
which  sometimes  gave  ir ranee  a  temporary 
ascendancy  over  her  rival.  Although  the  rovfd 
charters  extended  the  western  frontier  of  Virgi- 
nia from  sea  to  sea,  the  French  living  at  the 
extremities  of  her  bounds  and  on  the  back  of 
her  central  settlements,  resolved  to  connect 
those  distant  points  b\  a  chain  of  forts  extend- 
ing from  the  St.  Laurence  to  the  Mississippi. 
They  would  thus  be  able  to  hold  the  British 

colonies    as   it    ?  ere  in    a    state    of    seige 

They  would  monopolize  the  v\  hole  Indian  trade, 
and  what  was  of  infinitely  more  consequence, 
they  would  have  all  the  numerous  bands  of  war- 
like Indians  which  inhabit  those  vast  regions,  de- 
cidedly uncle?,  their  influence,  and  could  direct 
their  destructive  inroads  along  the  vast  and  unde- 
fended frontier. 

THIS  plan  was  not  at  first  openly  avowed.     It 
gradually  disclosed  itseii  in  me  movements  of 
X 


170  HISTORY  OF 

the  French  at  Canada,  and  it  was  not  finally  etc* 
tlaicd  until  the  Indian  traders  under  the  Ohio 
company  were  seized,  and  the  farther  settlement 
of  the  disputed  territory  was  interdicted  under 
similar  penalties. 

ANOTHER  circumstance  had  a  still  stronger  ef- 
fect in  equalizing  the  strength  oi  the  parties.  The 
governors  of  Canada  were  generally  soldiers  of 
refutation,  and  had  the  absolute  care  and  super- 
iiiU  ndance  oi  Indian  affairs ;  whereas,  the  En- 
glish governois  were  generally  appointed  by  court 
favour ;  and  the  province  of  Indian  affairs  was 
kit  in  the  hands  of  the  traders,  who  had  no  care 
of  the  public  good  and  were  actuated  only  by  the 
most  sordid  motives  and  considerations.  With 
the  exception  of  the  Five  Nations  and  their  tribu- 
taries, the  French  had  the  art.  too  of  conciliating  in 
a  l.ign  degree  the  affections  of  the  Indians;  there 
\vas  a  greater  unity  and  decision  in  their  means : 
\\  hen  .as  among  the  English  the  best  projects 
\vere  often  rendered  abortive  by  the  cautious  jea- 
lousy and  tardy  deliberations  of  their  assemblies. 
So  that  though  the  actual  force  of  1  ranee  was  in- 
ciisputably  inferior,  it  was  less  diffused,  more 
compact  and  disposable.  It  could  be  brought 
to  a  given  point  with  more  celerity,  advantages 
that  often  counterpoised  the  otherwise  amazing 
disparity. 

IN  oidcr  to  a  better  illustration  of  the  succeed- 
ing events,  it  will  be  necessary  to  say  something 
of  the  Ohio  company  established  and  composed 
of  merchants  belonging  to  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land, and  st-veral  rich  commoners,  and  lords  in 
the  mother  country.  This  extensive  association^ 
\\hose  views  were  at  once  territorial  and  com- 
iiitrcial,-  anxious  immediately  to  occupy  the  fer. 
tile  country  included  within  their  vast  grant,  dis- 
jpatchcU  biuve^oifc  to  form  a  map  of  the  country. 


VIRGINIA.  171 

even  to  the  falls  of  the  Ohio.  This  project  af-  CHAP. 
forded  the  justest  uneasiness  and  offence  to  the  _-_ 
natives,  who  saw  that  even  the  wilderness,  whi- 
ther they  had  retired,  did  not  save  them  from  the 
rapacity  of  their  invaders.  No  attempt  had  been 
previously  made  to  conciliate  them  by  kindness 
and  presents.  Their  rights  to  the  lands  might 
have  been  purchased  for  a  small  sum  prudently 
expended  in  nails,  paints,  blankets  and  hatchets. 
But  the  avarice  and  rapacity  of  speculator?  had 
overlooked  or  disdained  this  compromise,  un- 
mindful of  the  melancholy  train  of  misfortunes  to 
which  their  conduct  would  give  birth. 

THE  French  were  not  slow  in  representing  this 
procedure  in  a  stile  best  calculated  to  infiamc  the 
passions  of  this  people  :  Not  omitting  at  the 
same  time  to  contrast  their  own  just  and  concili- 
ating policy  with  this  rude  and  insolent  encroach- 
ment. 

BUT  independent  of  the  impolicy  of  alienating 
a  powerful  body  of  Indians,  hitherto  pacific  and 
favourably  disposed  to  the  British,  the  monopoly 
of  Indian  trade  exclusively  vested  in  this  compa- 
ny, afforded  just  grounds  of  uneasiness  to  the 
merchants  in  general,  and  their  private  repre- 
sentation had  a  tendency  to  strengthen  the  sus- 
picions and  jealousies  inspired  by  the  representa- 
tions of  France. 

EMBOLDENED  by  these  circumstances,  the 
French  ventured  to  extend  their  encroachments 
even  to  the  Ohio,  and  erected  a  fort  at  An  Beuf, 
a  river  which  empties  irseif  into  it.  Mr.  Humsi- 
ton,  at  that  time  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  laid 
these  proceedings  before  the  assembly  of  that 
province,  and  recommended  the  erection  of  trad- 
ing houses,  strong  enough  to  serve  at  the  same 
time  as  forts  for  the  protection  of  British  traders : 
But  owing  to  the  jealousies  existing  in  the  ter 


172 


HISTORY  OF 


gislature,  this  plan  was  only  slowly  and  partially 
executed, 

THIS  vast  project  having  been  now  fully  and 
Robert         explicitly    avowed,    the    lieutenant  governor   re- 
monstrated against,  this  daring  infraction  of  the> 


governor. 


royal  grant ;  and  the  national  pride  was  fortunately 
stimulated  by  the  fears  of  the  frontier  settlers,  and 
the  importunities  of  the  Ohio  adventurers.  It 
was  seen  that  the  project  of  France,  if  persisted 
in  and  allowed  time  to  mature  itself,  threatened 
not  only  the  security,  but  the  very  exigence  of 
Virginia ;  and  it  was  resolved  that  no  time  should 
be  lost  in  defining  a  point,  which,  if  left  to  the 
ambiguity  oi  construction,  would  be  productive 
of  endless  dispute  and  aggression. 

THE  next  care  of  the  governor  was  to  find  out 
a  man  fit  to  discharge  the  duties  of  an  envoy.  It 
could  not  be  concealed  that  it  was  attended  with 
great,  if  not  insuperable  diffi  :ulties.  Amongst  ci- 
Vi  ized  nations,  the  character  of  an  envoy  is  re- 
garded with  a  sort  of  artificial  veneration.  Like 
the  ancient  heralds,  their  persons  are  looked  on 
as  sa«.  red ;  and  there  is  every  where  a  solicitude 
vneitver  they  pass,  to  receiv  them  with  all  the 
forms  oi  good  breeding,  and  to  extend  to  them 
the  courtesies  and  civilities  of  hie.  But  the 
ground  over  which  our  envoy  had  to  pa^s  was 
•wild  and  solitaiy.  and  had  never  been  trodden 
bat  by  the  wolf  and  the  savage,  unless  occasion- 
ally perhaps  by  the  silent  and  advcnturouo  foot  of 
tat  Indian  trader. 

IT  required  the  union  of  physical  and  moral 
powers  to  contend  successful!)  with  these  difli- 
cuiiie-s,  and  to  the  capacity  of  executing  those 
dutits  with  judgment,  should  be  added  the  san- 
guine and  adventurous  temper,  whose  confidence 
borders  on  presumption ;  whose  anticipation  of 
looks  Ukc  the  workings  of  prophecy* 


VIRGINIA.  ITS 

Considerations  calculated  only  to  furnish  matter  CHAP. 
ci  apprehension  and  danger  to  ordinary  men. 
served  hut  to  infiame  the  ardour  and  ambition  c,f 
George  Washington,  a  youth  scarcely  yet  nine- 
teen ;  and  on  the  first  intimation  from  the  gover- 
nor of  hi>>  intention,  he  embraced  the  proposal 
viththattrank  and  unaffected  uarmth  that  bespoke 
an .r idest  COHM ioiiMie^s  of  his  own  worth. 

THIS  youth,  afterwards  called  upon  to  fill  so 
distinguished  a  station  on  the  globe,  wa.s  the  third 
son  of  Augustine  Washington,  and  the  great 
grandson  of  major  John  Washington,  who  has 
been  spoken  of  in  the  foregoing  part  of  this 
vork.  He  was  born  at  Bridge  Creek  in  West- 
n.oreland  county,  the  very  spot  on  \\hich  his 
great  ancestor  had  first  made  a  settlement.  In 
his  earh  >ears  he  is  represt-nted  to  have  betrayed 
a  strong  predilection  for  military  liie.  Kis  \ou-h- 
ful  mind  woulH  collate  and  kindle  at  the  recital  of 
British  and  American  prouc-ss,  and  he  bur-t  10 
engage  in  the  eonstest  which  Britain  manful  iy 
sustained  against  the  united  power  of  the  hou^e 
ol  Bourbon.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  by  his  press- 
ing solicitations,  the  place  of  midshipman  uus 
obtained  for  him  :  But,  according  to  a  recent  bio- 
gn  pher,  the  '*  interference  of  a  timid  arid  affec- 
tionate mother  for  a  time  suspended  his  mihuuy 
career." 

HAVING  lost  his  father  at  the  age  of  ten,  his 
education  wanted  that  elegant  and  useful  know- 
ledge oi  the  glorious  incidents  and  examples  to 
be  found  in  the  ancient  classics  and  hib  o 

hardy  discipline  to  be  acquired  by  the  study 
oi  ihe  mathematics.  Writing,  vulgar  arithmetic 
ai;d  practical  surveying,  composed  the  total  of 
hib  knowledge  of  books  ;  and  as  his  paternal 
uas  not  equal  to  his  ideas  of  independence 
of  rub  nuiiel,  he  mode  these  <ic- 


174  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  quirements  subservient  to  the  increase  of  l-.is  FOB- 
tune.  "  His  youth,"  adds  the  same  biographer, 
** was  employed  in  useful  industry, and  in  the  exer- 
cise of  his  profession  of  surveyor,  he  had  an  op- 
portunity of  acquiring  that  information  respecting 
vacant  lands,  and  of  forming  those  opinions  con- 
cerning their  future  value,  which  afterwards 
greatly  contributed  to  the  increase  of  his  private 
fortune." 

THE  general  opinion  of  his  capacity  may  be 
gathered  from  his  appointment,  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, to  the  station  of  adjutant- general  with  the 
rank  of  major. 

SUCH  was  the  character  selected  to  bear  the  go- 
vernor's message  to  the  k  rench  commandant  on 
the  Ohio;  and  at  a  future  day  destined  to  extend 
the  empire  of  liberty  and  reason  from  the  St. 
Croix  to  the  sources  of  the  Mississppi,  from  the 
ocean  to  the  borders  of  the  lakes. 

THE  zeal  of  the  youthful  envoy  will  be  col- 
lected from  his  journal.  He  set  out  from  Wil- 
liamsburg  on  the  day  on  which  his  commission 
was  dated,  in  company  with  an  interpreter  and 
four  attendants ;  and  having  encountered  incre- 
dible difficulties  from  the  nature  of  the  country, 
he  had  to  pass  through  ;  from  the  intrigues  of  the 
1  rench  and  the  attempts  of  a  subtle  and  implaca- 
ble enemy,  he  returned  with  an  answer  from  the 
French  commandant,  having  made  such  observa- 
tions on  the  nature  of  the  country  as  were  calcu- 
lated at  a  future  day  to  advance  the  military  ope- 
rations in  this  quarter. 

THE  answer  of  the  French  commandant  was 
dictated  by  that  polite  and  artificial  courtesy  pecu- 
liar to  the  French  character,  and  was  calculated, 
as  it  was  probably  intended,  to  arrest  the  pro- 
gress of  military  preparation,  by  holding  up  the 
chance  of  accommodation,  lie  stated  that  hte 


VIRGINIA*  175 

would  transmit  the  letter  of  governor  Dinwiddie  CHAP, 
to  his  general  in  Canada,  by  whose  order  he  had 
taken  possession  of  the  place,  and  by  whose  an- 
swer  his  conduct  should  be  regulated.  Tnis 
evasion  being  jiibtly  considered  as  amounting  to 
a  refusal,  the  assembly  at  the  instance  of  the  go- 
vernor made  provision  foi  expelling  the  intruders 
b}  force.  Funds  were  immediately  appropriated 
for  raising  a  regiment  of  three  hundred  men. 
The  command  in  chief  was  given  to  Mr.  Fry, 
•who,  to  considerable  personal  respectability  was 
supposed  to  add  a  competent  knowledge  of  che 
country  which  was  to  be  the  seat  of  war.  The 
young  Washington  was  appointed  second  in  com* 
mand,  a  striking  proof  of  the  opinion  entertain- 
ed of  his  capacity ,  and  their  sense  of  his  faithful 
and  able  discharge  of  his  late  arduous  duties. 

MEMORIALS*  had  been  forwarded  by  several 
Colonies  to  the  British  government,  detailing  mi- 
mitely  the  various  encroachments  of  France,  and 
Albemarle,  the  British  ambassador  at  Paris,  had 
protested  in  form  against  so  palpable  an  infraction 
of  the  treaty  of  Aix  la-Chapelle.  When  it  was 
discovered  that  no  prospect  of  an  amicable  ad- 
justment remained,  the  colonies  were  severally 
instructed  to  stand  upon  their  defence,  and  ex- 
pel the  French  from  the  Ohio.  But  whilst  the 
British  were  only  deliberating,  the  French  were 
occupying  some  of  the  most  important  points  in 
the  country,  and  strengthening  themselves  daily 
by  troops  from  Canada  and  old  France,  and  by 
alliances  with  the  numerous  tribes  that  wander  on 
the  Ohio  and  its  branches. 

AFTER  the  departure  of  Mr.  Washington,  hav- 
ing received  information  of  the  military  prepara- 


*  Hy  tins'*  British  £mfiirc* 


176  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  tinns  *n  Virginia  and  the  other  colonies,  the  p_ 
fl  vemoi  o!  Canada  issued  orders  to  the  commander 
on  t1  e  Ohio,  to  destroy  the  British  forts  and  trud- 
ii.g  houses  before  they  could  be  reinforced.  la 
<l.-i(iince  to  these  directions,  the  fort  at  Lbgstown 
v  as  surpriztd,  and  skins  and  stores  to  the  amount 
of  twenty  thousand  pounds  fell  into  the  hands  of 
ti  e  victors.  At  the  same  moment  M.  Contre- 
ct  nr  launched  himself  from  the  port  of  Venango 
\\ith  a  thousand  men  and  ten  pieces  of  cannon  in 
thee  hundred  canoes,  and  surpriztd  a  fortwhich^ 
ii>  obedience  to  the  advice  ot  Mr.  Washington, 
Irsi'd  been  erected  at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio 
and  IVionongfaht  la. 

THE  preparations  not  being  yet  fully  com- 
pleted, Mr.  Washington  was  directed  to  march 
v  itli  two  companies  in  advance  to  the  Great  Mea- 
clows.  This  movement  i^  represented  by  a  re- 
ct  lit  biographer  to  have  taken  place  at  the  press- 
ing solicitations  of  Washington;  and  the  mo- 
tives for  it  are  stated  to  have  proceeded  from  a 
"  fk sire  to  protect  the  country,  to  make  himself 
H'ore  acquainted  wi.h  it,  as  well  as  with  the  situ- 
ations and  designs  of  the  enemy,  and  to  preserve 
the  friendship  of  the  savages."  On  his  march 
he  received  information  b\  s:>me  Indians  in 
friendship  with  Virginia,-  that  a  party  of  work- 
men employed  b\  the  Ohio  compam  to  construct 
a  fort  on  the  south-eastern  branch  of  the  Ohio, 
had  been  driven  oil'  by  the  French,  who  were 
themselves  actually  employed  in  completing  one 
at  the  confluence  of  the  Aileghany  and  Monong.i- 
hela  rivers,  on  the  very  spot  which  he  himstll  hi 
his  journal  had  pointed  out  as  an  admirable  site 
for  this  purpose.  It  was  further  stated  that  they 
s  w  a  detachment  lro»r»  this  place  on  their  way  to 
the  Great  Meadows,  and  offered  to  act  as 
to  the  French  encampment. 


VIRGINIA.  177 

WASHINGTON  lost  no  time  in  Imnroving  this     CHAP. 
information  to  his  advantage,  and  having  marched  __ 
all  night,  at  die  approach  of  day  his  guides  shew- 
eel  him  the  French  just  pitching  their  tents  in  the 
bosom   of  a   retired   valley    at  a  small  distance 
from  the  path,  and  a  few  miles  to  the  west  ol  the 
Great  Meadows. 

His  dispositions  were  immediately  made.  Cap- 
tain Waggoner  was  ordered  to  iake  a  circuit  a  id 
make  his  appearance  on  an  opposite  hill,  which 
overlooked  the  t  rench.  As  soon  as  the  party  jf 
Waggoner  made  their  appearance  on  the  hill,  the 
French  hastily  ran  to  their  arms  :  But  hearing 
the  shouts  of  Washington's  detachment  in  their 
rear,  they  faced  about  to  defend  themselves  against 
a  danger  more  pressing  and  immediate.  Both 
parties  tired  so  nearly  at  the  same  time  that  it  Capture  o? 
sounded  like  a  single  discharge  :  Not  another  gun  fl 
was  fired.  Only  one  man  escaped :  Twenty  one 
were  made  prisoners,  and  the  only  person  killed 
was  Jumonville,  the  leader  of  the  detachment.* 

IN  this  action,  inconsiderable  as  it  was,  we 
see  the  dawn  of  that  genius  which  afterwards  di« 


*  According  to  Wynne,  De  Villit- r,  who  commanded  afe 
the  fort  at  Monongahela,  seni  a  formal  requisition  to  Mr. 
Washington  to  abandon  his  p<.st,  which  he  called  an  en* 
croachmer.t  on  the  French  territory,  by  the  hands  of  one 
of  his  subalterns,  called  Jumonville,  attended  by  a  small 
party.  But  he  delivering  no  opinion  of  his  own  upon  the 
subject,  and  immediately  afitr  he  says,  "  According  to  the 
French  accounts,  Jumonvillt  and  his  party  were  either  killed 
or  taken  prisoners  by  Washington,  in  a  manner  contrary 
to  all  the  rules  of  war  established  among  civilized  nations.** 
I  is  certainly  improbable  that  so  large  a  party  should  have 
been  sent  for  pacific  purposes,  and  that  they  should  have 
encamped  at  a  distance  fro  n  tue  path,  which  in  the  wilder/ 
ness  is  considered  as  an  infallible  index  to  hostility. 

Y 


178  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  rf  cted  the  expeditions  to  Trenton  and  Princeton*, 
It  had,  however,  nearly  proved  destructive  of 
the  fkte  oi"  the  conqueror.  A  report  had  gone 
abroad,  originating  probably  with  the  prisoners, 
that  Monsieur  Jumonville,  whilst  preparing  for 
a  parley  and  actually  engaged  in  reading  a  paper, 
was  run  through  the  body  by  col.  Washington, 
This  story,  so  well  calculated  to  taint  the  fame 
and  the  ieelings  of  a  soldier,  was  circulated  by 
the  industrious  policy  of  France.  It  became  the 
subject  of  seveial  angry  remonstrances:  it  soon 
niiide  its  way  into  Europe,  and  all  the  journals 
rang  with  the  melancholy  story  of  Jumonville, 
and  with  execrations  against  his  inhuman  mur* 
Xkrer. 

TRUTH  and  good  sense  at  length  slowly  over- 
took the  slander:  But  the  refutation  of  a  calum- 
ny is  infinitely  more  difficult  than  its  propagation^ 
tnd  there  were  many  who  still  wished  to  believe 
it  in  opposition  to  the  most  disinterested  and  con- 
clusive testimony.  The  account  of  this  event, 
given  b}  Mr.  \\  ashington  himself  some  time  after 
in  answer  to  the  inquiries  of  one  of  his  intimate 
friends,  is  marked  with  frankness  and  sincerity, 
lie  knew  nothing  (he  said)  of  such  a  man  as  Ju- 
Inonviile:  He  could  not  tell  which  party  fired 
first ;  that  it  was  possible  he  might  have  killed 
him  with  a  musket :  But  for  a  complete  refuta- 
tion of  the  slander,  he  invariably  referred  to  his 
officers  and  soldiers,  who  were  then  alive,  and 
who  bore  testimony  to  its  falsehood  and  atrocity. 

SHORTLY  after  this  event  a  junction  was  elFect- 
at  ed  \\  ith  the  main  body  at  the  Great  Meadows, 
the  Great     and  inmieel lately  after,  being  reinforced  with  two 
independent   companies  of  regulars,  the  detach- 
ment moved  on  towards  Fort  Duquesne  under 
Washington,  on  whcm,  by  the  death  of  colonel 
JYy,  devolved  the  command  of  the  expedition*- 


VIRGINIA.  17$ 

But  previously,  a  small  stockade  was  erected  at     CHAP. 
the  Great    Meadows,    for  the    security   of  their  .       IT- 
horses  and  provisions.     At  the  westernmost  foot 
of  the  Laurel   Hill,  cm^y  fourteen   miles  distant  Inr0rma- 
fiorn  their  stockade,  they  were  met  by  a  party  of 
Indians,  who  in  their  figurative  language  informed  a  |arge 
them  that  the  enemy  \vere  approaching,  as  nnme    <u-  oi 
rous  as  the  pigeons  in  the  woods.  This  intelligence  French  is 
derived  credit  from  the  report  of  a  faithful  chief,  approach-: 
who  had  himself  been  e}  e  witness  to  the  arrival  in^ 
of  a  considerable  reinforcement  only  two  d-iys  be- 
fore  at  Fort  Duquesne,  and  was  confirmed  by  the 
accounts  of  deserters. 

THE  only  hope  of  success  in  the  expedition, 
\vas  to  attack  the  French  fort  before  it  was  rein- 
forced from  Cana  la ;  and  even  then,  a  concur- 
rence of  favourable  circumstances  was  regarded 
as  necessary  to  its  accomplishment .  The  general 
and  faithful  co-operation  of  the  Indian  auxiliaries, 
and  a  defection  of  the  enemies'  Indians ;  a  rapid 
march  and  surprize,  before  the  garrison  was  pre- 
pared for  hostilities.  The  war  had  not  as  yet  been 
declared  in  form.  Only  a  single  man  of  Junion- 
ville's  party  had  escaped ;  and  it  was  hoped  tint 
Iv  had  either  perished  in  the  woods,  or  that  he 
\\ould  rejoin  his  countrymen  too  Lite  to  warn 
them  of  the  danger  that  impended  over  them. 

THE   intelligence  just  received  destroyed  all 
those  expectations.     In  a  moment  it  became  ob- 
vious that  offensive  operations  must  be  abandon* 
ed.      Instead  of  the  original  project  of  sweeping 
the  French  from  the  Ohio,  Mr.  Washington  saw 
that  they  must  abandon  the  past  advantages,  and 
confine  themselves  to  the  defence  of  the  Virginia  D;stress 
frontier.     The  condition  of  the  troops  wasdeplo-   ^danger 
rably  destitute.  They  had  been  five  days  without  Of  the  Vir- 
tasting  bread,  and  the  allowance  of  meat  was  too 
scanty  to  supply  the  want  of  so  necessary  an  arti- 


180 


HISTORY  OF 


Return  to 
Fort  Ne- 
cessity. 


.Are  attack- 
ed by  the 
French  and 
Ji  (lians, 
v  ho  yre  re- 
pulsed. 


cle.  The  position  which  they  occupied  was  not 
calculated  to  diminish  their  apprehensions.  4k  The 
enem\  could  approach  it  within  five  miles  by  wa- 
ter, and  might  either  pass  them  by  a  road  leading 
through  the  country  some  distance  from  them, 
so  as  to  cut  off  aU  supplies  and  starve  them  into 
a  surrender,  or  fight  them  with  a  superiority  of 
three  to  one."* 

IN  this  delicate  crisis  a  council  of  war  was 
hastily  called,  and  an  unanimous  opinion  was 
pronounced  in  favour  of  an  immediate  retreat  to 
their  stockade  at  the  Great  Meadows,  which  from, 
the  present  aspect  of  affairs,  was  henceforth 
known  by  the  name  of  Fort  Necessity.  The  reason 
urgtd  lor  the  adoption  of  this  measure  was,  that 
the  stockade  being  situated  at  the  point  of  union  of 
two  roads,  the  nature  of  the  surrounding  country 
would  give  them  timely  notice  of  the  approach 
of  an  tnemy.  Here  it  was  vainly  hoped  they 
might  make  a  stand  until  supplies  and  reinforce- 
ments might  arrive. 

BEFORE  the  works  were  yet  fully  completed  ^ 
the  French  and  Indians,  amounting  as  it  was 
supposed  to  fifteen  hundred  men,  made  their  ap- 
pearance, and  enabled  by  their  great  superiority 
and  the  small  extent  of  the  stockade,  to  spread 
themselves  on  every  side,  they  commenced  a  fu- 
rious lire  against  every  point  at  the  same  moment. 
The  shock  was  maintained  with  great  steadiness 
and  intrepidity  by  the  Americans,  not  only  from 
tl.e  interior  of  the  stockade,  but  from  the  sur- 
rounding ditch  \\hoaitho'  sunk  to  their  knees  in 
mud  and  water,  kept  up  an  incessant  and  destruc- 
tive fire.  The  gallantry  of  the  troops  was  ani- 
mated and  enforced  by  the  personal  example  of 


ton'>8  Life . 


VIRGINIA;  m 

their  youthful   leader.      He  had  early  taken  post     CH\P. 
on  the  outside  of  the  fort,  ani   in  the  midst  of 
danger  he  exJurted  his  companions  by  his  counte- 
nance and  example. 

THE  French  fought  under  cover  of  the  trees 
and  long  grass,  and  as  it  was  nat  thought  pru- 
dent to  attempt  taking  it  by  storm,  the  battle  was 
protracted  from  ten  in  the  morning  until  night. 
No  impression  was  yet  made  up  jn  the  works. 
The  French  were  ignorant  of  the  force  of  the 
g  irrison,  but  from  the  obstinacy  of  the  defence 
UK  re  was  every  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  con- 
quest if  indeed  attainable,  would  be  attended 
with  great  drifio.iilties  and  loss.  Famine,  it  was 
true,  was  an  auxiliary  certain  and  fatal :  But  the 
gairison  might  be  relieved  by  the  militia,  and  in 
tiiat  event  they  w  mid  be  placed  between  two 
fires,  and  their  own  retrtat  perhaps  cut  off  to 
3r  ort  Duquesne.  These  consideiations  induced 
De  Villier  to  propose  terms,  and  a  flag  of  truce 
was  dispatched  to  Air.  Washington  for  this  pur- 
pose. But  the  proposed  capitulation  contained 
conditions  too  humiliating  to  be  brooked  by  tne 
aspiring  spirit  of  the  youthful  leader,  and  they 
were  sent  back  with  the  sole  or  i  declaration,  t;itt 
no  necessit)  or  danger  should  tver  i  idace  so  )  isc 
a  surrender  of  iiis  own  honour  and  that  of  ,113 
brave  companions. 

AN  answer  so  full  of  spirit  and  dcterminatioi 
was  attended  with  the  proper  effect  on  the  -ni  \  1 
of  M.  De  Viiiier.  He  found  ni  nself  co  up-lied 
to  recede  fro  n  nis  haug'ity  dejimd  of  unoili- 
tional  submission,  and  in  the  c  >arse  of  the  ni.*  it 
it  was  stipulated  that  the  garrison  should  m  tr-m 
out  with  the  honours  of  war ;  should  be  permit- 
ted to  retain  their  arms  aad  baggage,  and  to 


182  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     march  without   molestation  into    the   inhabited 
._ — _.  .1 — .  parts  of  Virginia.* 

SOME    stipulations  were  inserted  in  favour  of" 
the  French,  which  are  not  mentioned  by  any  his- 
torian, but  which  from  their  intimate  connection 
with  several  important  transactions  are  well  enti- 
tkd  to  notice. 

IT  appears  that  a  Frenchman  of  the  mme  of 
La  Force  hid  considerable  influence  among  the 
various  tribes  of  Indians  at  the  back  of  our  settle- 
ments, and  that  af.er  the  seizure  of  Fort  Du- 
quesne,  he  had  been  appointed  to  use  his  best 
address  to  procure  exact  information  of  the  state 
of  the  v  irginia  frontier,  and  to  embroil  the  sa- 
vage neighbours.  Young  Washington  having  re- 
ceived information  that  this  emissary  was  travel- 
ling in  disguise  through  the  country,  had  him  ar- 
jested,  and  in  his  possession  were  found  papers 
confirming  the  suspicions  against  him,  and  dis- 
closing a  part  of  the  plans  and  policy  of  France. 
A  man  possessed  of  such  formidable  powers  it 
v  as  deemed  impolitic  to  treat  according  to  the 
common  usages  of  war,  and  the  resentment  of 
governor  Dinwiddie  according  with  his  ideas  of 
prudence,  La  Force  was  by  his  orders  brought 
to  Williamsburg  and  thrown  into  prison. 

THE  opportunity  to  redeem  this  man,  *>o  me- 
ritorious for  his  activity  and  sufferings,  immedi- 


*  According  to  Wynne,  the  terms  were,  that  both  par- 
ties should  retire  :  The  provincial*  to  Will's  Creek,  within 
the  acknowledged  confines  of  Virginia;  and  the  French  to 
thtir  former  situaiion  at  Monongahcla.  Vol.  %.fi  26. 

And  again,  he  says,  "  Washington  embraced  the  propo- 
sal and  deliverer]  two  officers  as  'nosta^t-s  lor  the  restitution 
<tf  the  surviving  prisoners  oi  Juinunville's  detachment." 


VIRGINIA.  183 

ately  suggested  itself  to  De  Villier;  and  for  the    CHAP. 
performance  of  this  condition,  so   important   to  . 
tne«  feelings  and   interest  of  the    trench  cause, 
tuo  hostages  were  demanded  and  received.    The 
hostages  were  lieutenants  Stobo  and  Van  Braarn. 
ANOTHER  stipulation  procured  by  an  artifice 
•unworthy  ot  a  soldier,  seemed  to  confound  for- 
ever  the   tame  and  prkle  of  Mr.    \V  u^hington. 
The  capitulation   was  dratted  in    French,  a  lan- 
guage with  which  neither  Mr.  Washington  nor 
an)  of  tiit  party  were  acquainted.     Ol  this  igno* 
ranee  De  Villier  availed  Himself,  by  inserting  an 
expression,  imph  ing  an  admission  on  the  part  of 
Mr.  Washington,  tiiathe  had  been  the  assassin  of 
J  union ville.     This   imposture,  together  with  the 
articles  of  capitulation,  was  afterwards  publish- 
ed, and  an  apparent  confirmation  was  for  a  mo- 
ment obtained  by  its  official  form.* 


*  SIR, 

I  AM  really  sorry  that  1  have  it  not  in  my  power 
to  answer  your  request  in  a  more  satisfactory  manner.  If 
you  had  favoured  me  with  the  journal  a  few  days  sooner,  I 
would  have  examined  it  careful. y,  and  endeavoured  to  point 
out  such  errors  as  might  conduce  to  your  use,  my  ad- 
vantage, and  the  public  satisfaction  ;  but  now,  it  ia  out  of 
my  power. 

I  had  no  time  to  make  any  remarks  upon  that  piece  which, 
is  called  my  journal.  The  inclosed,  are  observations  or* 
the  French  notes.  Ti*«.y  arc  ol  no  use  to  me  separated,  OOP 
will  they,  1  believe,  be  of  any  to  you,  yet  I  send  them  un- 
connected and  incoherent  as  they  were  taken;  for  I  have  no 
•Pjjurtunity  to  correct  them. 

In  regard  to  the  journal,  I  can  only  observe  in  general, 
that  I  kej.t  no  regular  one  during  that  expedition ;  rough 
minutes  of  occurrences  I  certainly  took ;  and  find  them  as 
certainly,  and  strangely  metamorphosed;  some  parts  left 
out,  which  1  remember  were  entered,  and  many  things  add- 
«d,  that  never  were  tnou.lu  -jf ;  the  name*  of  men  aod  things 


184  HISTORY  OF 

THE  loss  of  the  Virginia  troops  en  this  occa- 
sion amounted  to  liit\  tii^ht  in  k ilk  d  and  wound' 
ccl  :  But  in  this  return  was  not  included  the  loss 
of  the  independent  companies.  The  French  are 
supposed  to  have  su  ill  red.  much  more  severely  ; 


rgregiously  miscalled ;  and  the  whole  of  what  I  saw  En- 
ghshtd,  is  very  incorrect  and  nonsensical ;  yet  I  will  not 
pretend  to  say  thai  the  link  body  who  brought  it  to  me,  has 
not  made  a  literal  translation,  and  a  good  one. 

Shi  rt  as  my  time  is,  I  cannot  I, tip  remarking  on  Villier's 
account  of  the  battle  of,  and  trarsact'ions  at,  the  Mr  adows,  as 
it  is  very  extraordinary,  and  not  less  erroneous  than  inconsist- 
ent.    He  says  the  Flench  received  tht  first  fire.    It  is  well 
known  thai  we  received  it  at  six  hundred  paces  distance.  He 
also  says,  our  fears  obliged  us  to  retieat  in  the  most  disordely 
manner  after  the  capitulation.     How  is  this  consistent  with 
Jiis  other  account?  he  acknowledges  that  we  sustained  the  at- 
tack, \varmly,  Irom  ten  in  the  rooming  until  dark  ;  and  that 
lie  called  first  to  parley,  which  strongly  indicates  that  \ve 
weie  not  totally  absorbed  in  Car      If  the  gentleman  in   his 
account  had  adhered  to  the  truth,  he  must  have  confessed, 
that  we  looked  upon  his  offer  t.6  parley,  as  an  artifice  to  get 
into  and  examine  cur  trenches,  und  refused  on  this  account, 
until  they  desired  an  officer  might  be  sent  to  them,  and  gave 
their  parole  for  his  safe   rtturn.     He  might  also,  if  he  had 
been  as  great  a  lover  of  the  truth  as  he  was  of  vain  glory, 
>avc  said,  that  we  absolutely  refused  their  first  and  second 
proposals,  and  would  consent  to  capitulate  on  no  other  terms 
ihan  such  as  we  obtained.     That  we  were  wilfully  or  igno- 
rantly  deceived  by  our  interpreter,  in  regard  to  the  word  a*- 
sassination,  I  do  aver,  and  will  to  my  dying  moment;  so  will 
every  officer  that  was  present.  The  interpreter  was  a  Dutch- 
man, little  acquainted  with  the  English  tongue,  therefore 
might  not  advert  to  the  tone  and    meaning  of  the  word  ir 
English ;  but,  whatever  his  motives  were  for  so  doing,  cer 
tain  it  is,  he  called  it  the  death*  or  the  loss,  of  the  sieur  Ju 
monviile.     So  we  received,  and  so  we  understood  u.  until  *c 
our  great  surprize  and  mortification,  we  found  i   otherwise 
in  a  literal  translation.  That  we  left  our  baggage  and  horse! 
at  the  Meadows  is  certain  ;  that  there  was  not  even  a  possi 
bility  to  bring  them  away  is  equally  certain,  as  we  had  eveq 


VIRGINIA; 

Conjecture  having  with  some  probability  esti- 
mated their  killed  and  wounded  at  two  hundred. 
If  the  nature  of  the  action  be  considered,  this 


horse  belonging  to  the  camp  killed)  or  taken  away  dip  ing 
the  action ;  so  that  it  was  impracticable  to  bring  any  thing 
off  that  our  shoulders  were  not  able  to  bear;  and  to  wai6 
there,  was  impossible,  for  we  had  scarce  three  days  provi- 
sions, and  were  seventy  miks  fiom  a  supply,  yet,  to  say  we 
«ame  off  precipitately  is  absolutely  fals*  ,  notwiths'anding 
they  did  contrary  to  articles,  suffer  their  Indians  to  pillage 
our  baggage,  and  commit  all  kinds  of  irregularity  ;  *e  were 
\vith  them  until  ten  o'clock  the  next  day  ;  we  destroyed  our 
powder  and  other  stores,  nay,  «ven  our  private  baggage  to 
prevent  i'.s  foiling  into  their  hands,  as  we  could  hot  '  ring  it 
off.  When  we  had  got  about  a  mile  from  the  place  of  action* 
we  missed  two  or  three  of  the  trounced,  and  sent  a  pa  fly- 
back to  bring  them  up  ;  this  is  the  party  he  speaks  of  We 
brought  them  all  safe  off,  and  encamped  within  three  mil  9 
of  the  Meadows.  These  are  circumstances,  I  think,  thub 
make  it  evidently  clear,  that  we  were  not  very  apprt-hensivo 
of  danger.  The  colours  he  speaks  of  to  be  left,  was  a 
large  flag  of  immense  size  and  weight ;  our  regimental  co- 
lours were  brought  off  and  are  now  in  my  possession.  Their 
gasconades,  and  boasted  clemency,  must  appear  in  the  most 
ludicrous  light  to  every  considerate  person  who  reads  Vii- 
lier's  journal ;  such  preparations  for  an  attack,  such  vigour 
and  intrepidity  as  he  pre  ends  to  hare  conducted  his  march 
n»ith,  such  revenge,  as  by  his  ewn  account  appeared  in  his 
attack,  considered,  it  will  hardly  be  thought  that  compas- 
sion was  his  motive  for  calling  a  parley.  But  to  sum  up  the 
whole,  Mr.  Villier  pays  himself  no  great  compliment  in 
saying,  we  \vere  struck  with  a  pamck  when  matters  were 
adjusted.  We  surely  could  not  be  afraid  without  cause,  and 
if  we  had  cause  after  capitulation,  it  was  a  reflection  upoa 
himself. 

I  do  not  doubt  but  your  good  nature  will  excuse  the  bad- 
ness of  my  paper,  and  the  incoherence  of  my  writing;  think 
you  see  me  in  a  public  house  in  a  crowd,  surrounded  with, 
noise,  and  you  hit  my  case.  You  do  me  particular  honour 
in  offering  your  friendship :  I  wish  I  may  bs  so  happy  as 
always  to  merit  it,  and  deserve  your  cof  respondence,  wnich 
I  should  be  glad  to  cultivate.  Wa9kington?9  Life* 

z 


186  HISTORY  OF 

\ 
CHAP,     disproportion    will   not   be  thought  surprizing 

. *11* The  Indians  and  Canadians  must  h  ive  been  more 

exposed,  and  thtir  great  superiorly  of  numbers 
would  have  only  aggravated  this  evil,  while  the 
Anglicans  were  covered  during  the  whole  of  the 
action. 

IN  these  first  specimens,  we  bei:old  the  dawn- 
ii.gs  oi  future  greatness.  Nor  are  tue  symptoms 
kbs  pronging  at  the  failure  at  the  v'jreat  Mea- 
dows than  b}  the  victory  at  the  LitlVe.  In  the 
first  the  foiesight,  decision  and  impetuosity  o£ 
the  young  man,  during  his  first  essay,  are  visi- 
ble :  In  the  second  those  qualities  are  un  ited  with 
steadiness  and  coolness.  The  names  of  Bullet, 
of  Mtrcer,  and  of  several  others  afterwards  con- 
spicuous lor  their  courage  and  patriotism,  are  to 
be  lound  in  the  muster  rolls  of  that  day  ;  nor  can 
it  ever  be  uninteresting  to  see  from  what  humble 
beginnings  the  glories  of  the  country  have  pro- 
ceeded. 

WASHINGTON  had  scarcely  commenced  hisv 
inarch  towards  the  inhabited  parts  of  Virginia, 
\\i.en  in  defiance  of  the  terms  of  capitulation,  he 
found  himself  interrupted  by  the  Indians,  who 
hovered  round  them,  occasionally  appearing  on 
thtir  wings,  or  hanging  on  their  rear,  i  lenept- 
ing  their  stragglers.  Their  persons  and  effects 
weie  not  secure  for  a  momen'.  What  they  d  d 
not  steal  by  night,  they  would  openly  lay  their 
ki,.i.is  forcibly  on  by  city,  and  every  moment  in- 
drgnity  ihe  most  mortji\  ing  was  addtd  to  robbe- 
r\  ai.d  outrage  the  most  w*mtr>n,  by  the  unre- 
siraintd  licen  e  of  regular  and  brutal  btrbar  ty. 
Ni^ht  brought  on  no  r  pose ;  for  no  eye  could 
close  amidst  the  terrors  of  the  war  whoop  and 
ti-i-  sc  1  i)ig  knife*  At  Icn&t  i,  spent  vvifh  faiigue 
a  d  \va  eei  by  tiui^ger  aud  vvattliin^s,  they  reach- 
Cu  vviii Chester. 


VIRGINIA;  187 

THE  house  of  burgesses,  with  a  liberality  that  CHAP, 
reflects  honour  on  th<  ir  understanding,  approved 
the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  eng  iged 
in  this  expedition  in  a  vote  of  fchunks,  and  gave 
three  hundred  pistoles  as  a  re  » ard  of  their  bra- 
very, and  a  temporary  relief  to  their  immediate 
necessities. 

MEANWHILE  governor  Dimviddie,  without 
attending  to  the  condition  of  the  Virginia  regi- 
ment or  the  circumstances  of  the  country,  issued 
ciders  that  it  should  again  pass  the  Allcgany. 
The  companies  expected  from  Carolina  and  Ma- 
ryland had  arrived,  but  the  regiment  was  not 
complete ;  nor  was  it  yet  sufficiently  recovered 
from  the  hardships  of  the  lute  expedition.  The 
troops  were  in  want  of  articles  of  comfort  and 
even  of  the  first  necessity,  and  their  minds  had 
not  yet  forgotten  their  late  terrors  and  humilia- 
tion. It  required  time,  added  to  the  utmost  ad- 
dress of  a  beloved  commander,  to  restore  their 
former  confidence  and  inspire  tljem  again  with 
ITiilitary  ardour. 

IN  spite  of  these  obvious  considerations,  they 
were  ordered  immediately  to  seek  an  enemy  more 
than  double  their  numbeis  and  flushed  with  their 
late  victory  ;  to  dispossess  the  French  of  >ort 
Duquesne  or  construct  one  in  some  eligible  site 
for  observing  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and 
affording  protection  to  the  trembling  inhabitants 
of  that  frontier.  Against  these  orders,  so  marked 
by  precipitation  and  iblly,  colonel  Washington 
protested  in  the  strongest  terms.  But  die  go- 
vernor was,  not  of  a  temper  to  give  up  any  opinion 
he  had  once  formed,  and  he  reluc'.andy  prepared 
to  carry  into  execution  the  orders  under  the  di- 
rection of  colonel  Jones  of  North  Coroiiaa,  on 
devolved  the  ducks  of  comuiaiicier  in  ciiicf. 


HISTORY  OF 

BUT  the  funds  necessary  for  these  objects  were 
yet  to  be  found.     For   although    a  governor  of 
Virginia  might  issue  his  commands  for  the  levy 
and  march  of  troops,  he  had  no  means  of  paying 
a  single  company,  unless  by   the  constitutional 
mode    of  legislative    supply.       He    entertained, 
however,  little  doubt  that  the  widom  of  the  house 
of  burgesses  would  provide  for  an  object  so  in- 
teresting as  the  security   of  the  frontier  and  the 
national  honour.     In   these  expectations  he  was 
confirmed  by  the  address  of  that  body  in  reply 
to  his  communication  at  the  opening  of  the  ses- 
sion ;  an  address  at  once  bespeaking  ardour  and 
capacity.  In  this,  for  the  first  time,  they  take  no- 
tice  of  the    trench   project   of  stretching  their 
frontier  across  the  British  settlements  from  the 
"  St.  Laurence  to  the  Mississippi,  and  to  secure 
the  same  by  forts  built  at  the  most  convenient 
places  "     They  take  notice  of  the  invasion  of 
the   colony,  and  the  forcible   possession  of  the 
lands  of  the  Ohio  company,  contrary  to  the  faith 
of  treaties,  and  declare  that  those  measures  are 
calculated  to  rouse  their  indignation,  as  th^y  are 
to  demand  the  most  serious  and  strict  attention. 
They    cannot  doubt,  they  add,  that  the  British 
colonies  will  exert  themselves  in  a  mutual  assist- 
ance and  unite  with  them  in   the  common  cause. 
But  whatever  they  do,  say  they,  we  are  deter- 
n.ined  on  our  part  to  withstand  the  impending 
danger,  and  to  pursue  every  measure  in  our  pow- 
er to  deft  at  these  pernicious  attempts  of  our  ene- 
mies, that  we  may  convince  the  world  we  have 
nothing  more  at  heart  than  a  zealous  discharge 
of  duty  to  the   best  of  kings,  and  the   sincerest 
regard  to  the  safety  and  true  interests  of  the  co- 
lony. 

BUT  notwithstanding  these  warm  professions, 
the  assembly  refused  to  advance  a  shilling  to  tli€ 


VIRGINIA; 

•tfompTetion  of  the  regiment,  a-d  even  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  independent  companies  in  the  pay  of 
the  king,  which  were  sent  expressly  to  the  as- 
sistance of  the  colony,  and  the  project  of  Din- 
ttkMie  was  necessarily  abandoned. 

NOTHING  will  better  describe  the  governor's  Sept.  sth, 
disappointment  and  regret  at  this  unaccountable 
obstinacy  than  his  speech  in  proroguing  the  ses- 
sion. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council \  Mr.  Speaker  and  gentle- 
men of  the  house  of  burgesses, 

THE  impending  danger  from  the  violent  incur- 
sions of  the  French,  their  threats  and  depreda- 
tions, were  the  only  motives  for  calling  you  toge- 
ther at  this  time ;  and  the  lives,  liberties  and 
properties  of  your  constituents,  are  in  such  im- 
minent hazard,  I  did  not  in  the  least  doubt  but 
that  before  this  to  have  strengthened  my  hands 
with  a  proper  supply  to  frustrate  their  malicious 
intentions,  and  especially  when  I  received  from 
you  such  strong  and  repeated  assurances,  that 
you  "  were  determined  on  your  parts  to  with- 
stand the  impending  danger,  and  to  pursue  every 
measure  in  your  power  to  defeat  these  pernicious 
designs  of  your  enemies."  1  thought  I  might 
reasonably  admit  the  pleasing  hopes  that  "  you 
would  effectually  provide  for  your  country's  pre- 
servation, and  convince  the  world  that  you  had 
nothing  more  at  heart  than  a  zealous  discharge  of 
your  duty  to  the  best  of  kings,  and  the  sincerest 
regard  for  your  country's  welfare. " 

How  great  then,  gentlemen,  must  be  my  sur- 
prize, and  with  what  amazement  must  that  country 
and  the  world  see  such  high  expectations  cast  down 
so  low  ;  see  you  called  upon  in  the  day  of  your 
£ouatry'i>  distress,  declaring  your  knowledge  of 


190  HISTORY  OF 

her  danger,  and  declaring  the  greatest  zeal  for 
her  service,  yet  find  these  declarations  only  a 
flourish  of  words;  and  that  inconsistent  with 
them,  and  our  purpose  for  meeting  you,  with- 
hold }  our  aid,  and  thereby  leave  the  enemy  at  full 
liberty  to  perpetrate  their  destructive  and  unjust 
designs. 

THE  independent  companies  ordered  by  his 
majesty,  clothed  and  paid  by  him,  and  now  em- 
ployed in  your  immediate  defence,  you  absolute- 
ly, by  your  resolve  to  me,  deny  subsistence  to: 
A  thing  unprecedented  in  any'  of  his  majesty's 
dominions  where  they  have  been  employed  in 
their  defence  from  incursion  or  threatened  inva- 
sions. I  have  my  master's  service  and  the  safety 
and  honour  of  Virginia  so  much  and  so  truly  at 
heart  that  1  cannot  but  be  deeply  affected  with  a 
conduct  so  contrary  to  her  interests,  and  not  alto- 
gether unconcerned  for  you,  gentlemen  of  the 
house  of  burgesses,  that  you  should  appear  in  so 
bad  a  light  to  his  majesty,  and  give  such  ill  im- 
pressions to  the  neigbouring  colonies. 

However,  as  I  find  you  are  determined  not  to 
do  what  your  duty  to  his  majesty  and  the  present 
obvious  danger  indispensably  require,  1  think  it 
proper  to  avoid  augmenting  unnecessary  expenses, 
particularly  incomenient  at  this  time,  and,  there- 
fore, to  put  an  end  to  your  continuance  here,  I 
do  berth}  prorogue  you  to  the  seventeenth  day  of 
October  next,  and  you  are  accordingly  prorogued 
to  that  time. 

IT  is  difficult  to  account*  for  this  sudden  re- 
volution in  the  opinions  of  the  assembly.  Per- 


*  Wynne,  who  was  a  man  of  penetration,  and  appears 
to  have  drawn  his  information  of  the  events  he  relates  Irom 
the  mofct  authentic  bouiccs,  gives  this  incident  with  scvcrg} 


VIRGINIA.  191 

haps  they  were  of  opinion  that  the  means  of  the  CHAP. 
colony  should  not  be  wasted  in  the  chemerical 
project  of  fighting  for  deserts  and  wilderness  so 
remote  from  their  inhabited  frontier,  and  which 
seemed  to  be  the  comnon  property  of  nature ; 
they  thought  too,  perhaps,  that  the  expenses 
of  equipment  should  be  defrayed  by  the  Ohio 
adventurers,  or  what  is  more  probable  that  the 
expedition  of  the  >  rench,  as  it  was  a  com<non 
gtievance,  should  be  undertaken  by  the  comunoa 
exertions  of  the  British  colonies.  Meanwhile 
die  Virginia  regiment  was  reduced  to  independ- 
ent companies,  and  Mr.  Washington  resigned. 

His  motives  for  this  procedure,  independent 
of  the  state  of  inaction,  are  stated  by  a  recent 
biographerj  who  certainly  had  the  best  opportu- 
nity of  knowing  the  fact,  to  take  their  rise  "  in 


others,  which  retarded  the  success  and  embarrassed  the  or- 
der of  militaiy  operations.  "  The  English,*'  said  he,  "  were 
divided  into  separate  governments,  actuated  by  distinct  and 
sometimes  contradictory  interests,  (p.27  )  They  not  only  had 
complaints  against  each  other,  the  Virginians  imputing  Wash- 
ington's misfortunes  to  the  people  of  New  York,  who  had  not 
fulfilled  their  engagements,  but  were  also  discontented  among 
themselves.  Some  very  immaterial  points  in  dispute  raised  a 
quarrel  between  the  assembly  and  the  governor,  which  put 
a  stop  to  all  business,  an  extremity  which  both  parties  ought 
carefully  to  have  avoided,  when  the  danger  from  the 
common  enemy  was  great.  The  governor  and  assembly  of 
Pennsylvania  were,  from  the  like  causes,  in  the  same  situa- 
tio,-;  and  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  were  inflamed  to  the 
higl  est  pitch  of  discontent,  by  a  discovery  they  had  made 
of  some  instiuctions  which  sir  Danvers  Osborne  their  late 
governor,  who  died  immediate  y  on  his  arrival,  brought  over 
with  him.  The  rest  of  the  colonies,  wtre  in  a  very  little 
better  situation,  and  had  agreed  on  no  one  plan  of  nction  :  If 
they  concurred  in  any  th:ng,  it  was  in  alternately  blaming 
the  backwardness,  uud  imploring  the  assisuuiCt.  oi  lUe  mo- 
ther country. " 


HISTORY  OF 

CJTAP.  orders  received  in  the  course  of  the  winter  fo* 
settling  the  rank  of  the  officers  of  his  majesty's 
forces,  when  joined  or  serving  with  the  provin- 
cial forces  in  North  America  ;  which  directed  that 
all  officers  commissioned  by  the  king,  or  by  his 
general  commander  in  chief  in  North  America, 
should  take  rank  of  all  officers  commissioned  by 
the  governors  of  the  respective  provinces.  And 
further,  that  the  general  and  field  officers  of  the 
provincial  troops  should  have  no  rank  when  serv- 
ing with  the  general  and  field  officers  commis- 
sioned by  the  crown  ;  but  that  all  captains,  and 
other  inferior  officers  of  the  royal  troops,  should 
take  rank  over  provincial  officers  of  the  same 
grade,  having  senior  commissions." 

THESE  regulations,  originating  in  the  grossest 
and  most  selfish  partiality,  and  founded  in  a  con- 
tempt for  colonial  honour  and  understanding, 
could  not  be  brooked  by  the  punctilious  and  ho- 
nourable spirit  of  Mr.  Washington.  In  his  ob- 
servations on  the  comparative  merits  oi  European 
and  Virginian  officers  and  soldiers,  he  saw  no- 
thing to  justify  this  arrogant  assertion  of  superi- 
ority, and  he  was  determined  to  discountenance 
by  his  own  example  at  least,  an  insult,  which, 
if  carried  into  a  precedent,  would  have  the  most 
injurious  effects  on  the  courage  and  character  of 
his  countrymen. 

MEANWHILE  La  Force  had  by  almost  incredi- 
ble efforts  broken  his  prison  at  \Villiamsburg, 
and  the  minds  of  the  people  of  the  whole  country 
were  in  alarm.  The  opinion  that  before  prevailed 
of  his  extraordinary  address  and  activity,  his  des- 
perate courage  and  fertility  in  resources,  was  by 
this  new  feat  wrought  into  a  mingled  agony  of 
terror  and  astonishment.  Already  had  he  reach- 
ed King  and  Queen  court  house  without  any 
knowledge  of  the  country  through  which  he  pas* 


VIRGINIA,  193 

sed,  without  a  compass,  and  not  daring  to  ask  a  CHAP. 
question,  when  he  attracted  the  notice  of  a  back- 
woodsman. Their  route  lay  the  same  way ;  and  " 
it  occurred  to  La  Force,  that  by  the  friendship 
and  fidelity  of  this  man,  he  might  escape  in  spite 
of  the  difficulties  and  dangers  of  his  situation. 
Some  questions  proposed  by  La  Force  relative  to 
the  distance  and  direction  of  *ort  Duquesne, 
confirmed  the  woodsman  in  his  suspicions,  and 
he  arrested  him  as  he  was  about  to  cross  the  ferry 
at  West  Point.  In  vain  did  La  Force  tempt  the 
woodsman  with  an  immediate  offer  of  money,  and 
with  promises  of  wealth  and  preferment  on  con- 
dition that  he  accompanied  him  to  Fort  Duquesne. 
He  was  proof  against  every  allurement  inconsist- 
ent with  his  duty,  and  he  led  him  back  to  Wil- 
liamsburg. 

THE  condition  of  La  Force,  after  this  attempt, 
became  in  the  highest  degree  distressing :  He  was 
loaded  with  a  double  weight  of  irons,  and  chain- 
ed to  the  floor  of  his  dungeon. 

SUCH  was  the  situation  of  affairs  when  colonel 
Washington,  after  his  resignation,  arrived  in 
Williamsburg.  Here,  for  the  first  time,  he  heard 
of  the  imprisonment  and  persecution  of  La 
Force,  and  he  felt  himself  compelled  to  remon- 
strate with  Mr.  Dinwiddie  against  them,  as  an 
infraction  of  the  articles  of  capitulation,  and  of 
the  laws  of  honour  acknowledged  by  soldiers. 
His  application  was  strongly  backed  by  the  sym- 
pathy of  the  people,  which  now  began  to  run 
strongly  in  favour  of  the  prisoner :  But  the  go- 
vernor was  inexorable. 

MEANWHILE  the  hostages,  Stobo  and  Van 

Braam,  had  been  ordered  for  greater  security  to 

Quebec,  and  in  retaliation  of  the  sufferings  of 

La  Force,  they  too  were  confined  in  prison,  but 

2  A 


194  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  without  any  additional  severity.  Almost  at  the 
III  burnt  moment  that  La  Force  had  broken  his  pri- 
son, Stobo  and  Van  Braam,  by  efforts  t  qualljr 
extraordinary,  had  escaped  from  Quebec,  and 
were  passing  the  causewa)  leading  iiomthe  city, 
at  the  moment  that  the  governor  of  Canada  was 
airing  in  his  carnage.  Stobo  succeeded  in  effect- 
ing his  escape  :  But  Van  Braam  fainting  with  fa- 
tigue and  hunger,  and  despairing  of  being  able  to 
effect  his  escape,  called  out  to  the  governor  from 
bentath  the  arch  of  the  causeway  \\hcre  he  con- 
cealed himself,  and  desired  to  surrender.  The 
governor  received  him  in  his  carriage,  and  re- 
manded him  to  prison,  but  without  any  extraor- 
dinary severity.  , 

EVEN  these  facts  were  not  unknown  to  Mr. 
Dimviddie :  Yet  without  being  touched  by  so 
generous  an  example,  he  persisted  in  his  unjusti- 
fiable rigour  towards  La  Force. 

MEANWHILE  the  troops  ex pected  from  Bri- 
tain arrived  in  Hampton  Hoads,  under  the  convoy 
of  commodore  Keppell.  They  consisted  of 
draughts  Jrom  the  regiments  in  Ireland,  and  were 
commanded  by  major  general  Edward  Braddock, 
an  officer  of  reputation,  who  was  appointed  to 
command  in  chief  all  the  forces  in  North  Ame- 
rica. In  a  short  time  after,  the  men  of  war, 
Seahorse  and  Nightingale,  with  several  trans- 
ports full  of  troops  and  military  stores,  made 
their  appearance,  and  were  ordered  round  to 
Alexandria,  which  was  fixed  on  as  the  place  of 
remit  zvous. 

THE  arrival  of  this  armament  was  the  signal 
for  convening  an  assembly  ;  and  it  was  hoped  the 
care  manifested  by  the  king  for  their  security  in 
sending  so  fine  a  body  of  troops  to  their  assist, 
ancc  would  induce  a  liberal  and  cordial  disposi- 


VIRGINIA;  195 

don  in  the  councils  of  the  colony  to  co-operate     t'NAP. 
for  their  own  safety  and  honour.  _ 

WITH  this  view  the  assembly  was  summoned 
b}  proclamation  to  meet  on  the  first  day  of  May. 
About  ihe  same  time  the  governor  signified  his 
majesty's  directions,  authorizing  and  requiring 
him  to  make  and  pass  grants  of  land  to  the  west- 
ward of  the  ridge  of  mountains,  which  separate 
the  rivers  Hoanoak,  James  and  Patowmac  from 
the  Mississippi,  free  from  the  payment  of  quit- 
rents,  for  ten  \  ears  from  the  date  of  their  patents. 
This  measure  originated  in  a  wish  to  possess 
and  strengthen  that  fine  country  by  a  hard}  po- 
pulation, interested  in  its  defence. 

ON   the  '2'2d  the  governor  arid  general  Brad- 
dock  proceeded  to   Annapolis  in  Maryland,  for  Attends 
the    purpose  of    meeting   the  governors  of   the  c«nventlott 
other  states,  and  on  the  14th   of  April  a  grand 
concert  of  military  operations  was  decided  upon 
in  a  council  composed  of  the  governors  of  Ne\v 
England,  Man  land,  Pehns\  Ivania  and  Virginia, 
assisted  by  the   information  and  experience    of 
general  Braddock  and  commodore  Keppell. 

THE  assembly  at  length  convened  agreeably 
to  proclamation,  and  the  governor  addressed  them 
in  a  speech  calculated  to  exalt  their  courage  and 
rouse  their  indignation.  The,  project  of  France 
for  extending  her  dominions  ;  and  her  late  vio- 
lent encroachments  on  the  territory  of  Virginia ; 
the  paternal  care  of  their  own  sovereign  exempli- 
fied in  dispatching  to  their  aid  a  poweiful  fleet  and 
army  under  the  guidance  of  an  able  commander ; 
the  liberal  contributions  of  the  other  colonial  asbtm- 
blies,  estimates  of  which  he  submitted  to  them  ; 
their  own  personal  honour  and  security,  and  the 
glory  of  their  ancestors  :  These  topics  were  suc- 
cessively presented  to  them,  and  urged  with  a 
force  proportioned  to  their  importance.  'Amidst 


196  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  affairs  of  such  magnitude,  minor  considerations 
/5=_  .  were  not  forgotten.  The  distressed  condition  of 
the  troops,  who  fought  at  the  Great  Meadows 
was  recommended  to  the  bounty  of  the  assem- 
bly, and  they  were  urged  by  every  motive  that 
could  interest  rational  beings  to  raise  a  body  of 
troops  to  co  operate  with  the  British  army  in  ex- 
pelling  the  invaders. 

THE   conduct  of  the  assembly   corresponded 
with  the  urgency  of  the  crisis,  and  the  governor 
of  a*    htbl    Proro§ued  l^em  ty  a  speech  expressive  of  his 
satisfaction. 

SOON  after  his  arrival,  general  Braddock  had 
become  acquainted  with  the  merits  of  Mr.  Wash- 
ington,  and  with  his  motives  for  leaving  the  ser- 
vice ;  and  judging  that  his  knowledge  of  the 
country,  which  was  to  be  the  theatre  of  war, 
would  be  highly  beneficial,  he  gave  him  the 
place  of  volunteer  aid,  and  admitted  him  into  his 
family.  This  invitation  colonel  Washington  rea- 
dily accepted,  "  stipulating  only  for  permission 
to  employ  himself  in  the  arrangement  of  his  pri- 
vate affairs  until  the  general  should  be  on  his 
march,  and  that  he  might  return  to  them  when 
the  active  part  of  the  campaign  should  be  over."^ 
Army  ar-  THE  army  now  began  to  move  from  Alexan- 
rives  from  dria.  It  consisted  of  two  British  regiments,  a 
Alexandria  train  of  artillery  and  a  few  corps  of  provincials. 
Having  reached  Will's  Creek,  afterwards  called 
Fort  Cumberland,  it  halted  for  several  days, 
waiting  the  coming  up  of  their  horses,  waggons, f 


*  Life  of  Washington. 

t  For  the  principal  part  of  the  waggons,  the  general  was 
indebted  to  the  active  and  generous  patriotism  of  Dr.  Frank- 
lin and  his  son. 


VIRGINIA:  197 

arid  provisions.     The  short  experiment  of  the     CH  \P 

difficulty  of  the  roads    induced   the  general   to  ._ ! 

adopt  to  a  considerable  extent  the  advice  of  colo- 
nel Washington,   to  use  pack  horses  instead  of 
waggons.* 

FORT  Cumberland  was  the  extreme  frontier 
settlement  in  Virginia ;  every  inch  beyond  this 
was  rugged  and  unreclaimed,  unless  where  the 
silent  step  of  the  savage  or  the  adventurous  foot 
of  the  Indian  trader  had  opened  a  path. 

THE  army  had  been  already  three  davs  in  ad-  istl>  June, 
vance  of  this  place,  and  had  made  only  six  miles;  1755» 
and  the  difficulties  of  the  way  were  increasing  at 
every  step.  Trees  were  to  be  felled  ;  the  matted 
underwood  to  be  cut  away ;  rude  bridges  to  be 
thrown  over  creeks  and  torrents,  to  admit  the 
passage  of  waggons  and  artillery.  It  became  ob- 
vious that  by  an  adherence  to  this  plan  the 
season  would  be  lost  for  any  effectual  service,  and 
the  enemy  would  have  time  to  receive  reinforce- 
ments, which  would  render  the  success  of  the 
expedition  very  doubtful,  if  not  entirely  despe- 
rate. These  observations  were  constaivly  en- 
forced by  the  anxious  solicitations  of  colonel 
Washington,  from  his  bed  where  he  was  con- 
fined by  a  burning  fever,  brought  on  by  fatigue 
of  body  and  mind, 

THIS  gentleman,  in  whose  knowledge  the  ge-  Washintr- 
neral  is  said  to  have  reposed  considerable  confi    l°n's 
dence,  urged   the  propriety  of  leaving  the  wag- 


*  Whilst  the  army  was  encamped  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
a  large  body  of  Lidians  of  different  nations  arrived}  and 
vrtre  kindly  received  by  geneiul  Braddock.  Tuey  were 
drawn  up  before  the  army  in  single  files,  and  addressj.fi  f- 
ter  the  Indian  fashion,  in  a  speech  full  of  metaphor  and  alie- 
gory.  The  Indians  replied,  and  mutual  friendship  was 
and  confirmed  by  several  belts  of  wampum. 


iicn  bub- 


198 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 

_in_._ 

milted  to  a 
council  of 
war  and 
adopted. 


The  gene- 
ral pushes 
on  with  the 

main  body.. 


gons,  heavy  artillery  and  baggage  behind  with 
the  rear  guard,  to  follow  'by  easy  marches,  and 
to  press  forward  in  person  with  the  flower  of  the 
troops,  some  light  artillery  and  stores.* 

THE  reasons  urged  by  him  in  support  of 
this  advice  were,  that  according  to  all  their  in- 
telligence the  French  were  at  present  weak  on 
the  Ohio,  but  hourly  expected  re  in  for  cements; 
th-.it  during  the  present  excessive  drought  these 
re-inforcements  could  not  arrive  with  the  neces- 
sary quantity  of  provisions  and  other  supplies, 
because  the  river  La  Bceaf,  on  which  they  must 
necessarily  be  brought  to  Venaago,  did  not  then 
afford  water  enough  to  admit  of  their  portage 
down  it.  By  a  rapid  movement,  therefore,  it 
was  extremely  probable  th-.it  the  fort  might  be 
reached  with  a  sufficient  force  to  carry  it  before 
the  arrival  of  the  expected  aid ;  but  that  if  this 
measure  was  not  adopted,  such  were  the  delays 
attendant  on  the  march  of  the  whole  army,  that 
'*  rains  sufficient  to  raise  the  waters  might  reasona- 
bly be  counted  on,  and  the  whole  force  of  the 
French  would  probably  be  collected  for  their  re- 
ception ;  a  circumstance  which  might  render  the 
success  of  the  expedition  extremely  doubtful. "f 

THIS  opinion  was  submitted  to  a  council  of 
war  held  at  the  Little  Meadows  ;  and  it  was  de- 
termined that  the  general  should  advance  at  the 
head  of  a  select  corps  to  consist  of  fourteen  hun- 
dred men,  unincumbered  with  waggons  save 
what  was  necessary  for  the  transportation  of  the 
artillery.  The  baggage  and  provisions  for  this 
force  were  to  be  transported  on  pack  horses.  The 


*  Lift  of  Washington. 

j  Ibid. 


VIRGINIA.  199 

remaining  part  of  the  army  was  to  remain  behind     CHAP. 
v.  ith  all  the  heavy  baggage,  under  the  command  __JIL 
of  colonel  Dunb-.tr. 

COLONIAL  LVNES  had  been  previously  left  for 
the  defence  of  Fort  Cumberland,  and  it  was  de- 
termined to  construct  works  at  the  Little  and 
Great  Meadows  to  afford  a  refuge  in  the  event  of 
any  adverse  fortune  to  the  retreating  army. 

YET,  notwithstanding  the  unincumbered  state 
of  the  army,  they  took  up  four  days  in  marching 
only  nineteen  miles  from  their  late  position  at  the 
Little  Meadows  to  the  great  crossings  of  the  Yo- 
hcgany.*  This  delay  arose  from  the  absurd  ap- 
plication of  European  tactics.  The  march  oPfco- 
iumns,  the  passage  of  defiles,  and  the  complex 
machinery  of  cavalry,  of  cannon  and  baggage, 
may  do  for  the  extensive  and  open  plain  in  Eu- 
rope; but  in  the  dark  and  continued  forests  of 
America,  this  system  is  in  the  last  degree  mis- 
chievous and  pedantic.  Here  every  thing  is  to 
be  done  by  surprize.  You  must  adopt  the  Indian 
method  of  fight.  The  single  file;  the  eye  and 
the  ear  continually  on  the  watch  ;  the  body  like 
the  leaves ;  the  cover  of  the  oak ;  the  silent  step ; 
the  swiftness  of  the  deer.  These  are  the  pioper- 
ties  that  laugh  to  scorn  the  cumbrous  tactics  of 
Europe.  Mr.  Washington  beheld  with  regret 
this  pernicious  system  adhered  to,  and  laments  it 
in  a  letter  to  hU  brother.  "  1  found, "  said  he, 
4i  that  instead  of  pushing  on  with  vigour,  with- 
out regarding  a  little  rough  road,  they  were  halting 
to  level  every  mole- hill,  and  to  erect  bridges  over 
every  brook,  "f 


*  Life  of  Washington 
Ibidem. 


200  HISTORY  OF 

IT  took  up  nearly  one  month  to  complete  the 
remaii  der  oi  the  journey,  a  distance  of  not  more 
than  eighty  miles :  On  the  ninth  oi  July  the  ar- 
my came  in  sight  of  the  Monongahela,  on  the 
opposite  side  oi  which,  and  at  six  miles  distance, 
was  seated  Fort  Duquesne. 

IT  is  difficult  to  account  for  the  blind  presump- 
tion and  security  of  general  Braddock  on  this  oc- 
casion. Accounts  well  authenticated  stated  that 
a  considerable  reinforcement  from  Canada  had 
been  seen  navigating  Lake  Ontario  in  batteaux, 
and  were  directing  their  course  to  the  Ohio.  The 
arrival  of  this  force  at  Fort  Duquesne  was  after- 
w  ards  confirmed  by  some  friendly  Indians,  toge- 
ther with  the  intelligence  that  most  of  the  tribes 
inhabiting  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  their  branch- 
es, had  been  allured  into  a  co-operation  with  the 
French.  Possibly  he  mistook  the  silence  and  so- 
litude of  the  country  through  which  he  passed,  as 
the  effects  of  the  fear  his  name  and  presence  had 
inspired  ;  and  the  little  interruption  in  his  march 
from  the  Indians  as  an  evidence  that  all  idea  of 
resistance  was  abandoned  and  that  the  fort  would 
be  evacuated  at  his  approach.* 

COLONEL  Washington  was  not  at  hand  to  re- 
move  these  impressions.  The  violence  of  his 
disease  had  confined  him  to  the  camp  at  the  Lit- 


*  This  conduct  is  thus  related  by  Wynne  :  "  Having  by 
this  means  lessened  his  line  of  march,  he  carelessly  pro- 
ceeded with  great  expedition,  insomuch  that  his  rear  was 
left  near  forty  miles  behind  ;  and  being  so  incautious  as  sel- 
dom to  bestow  time  to  scour  the  woods  he  was  to  pass  thro* 
though  earnestly  entreated  by  sir  Peter  Halket  to  proceed 
with  caution,  and  to  employ  the  Indians  thai  were  with  him 
in  scouting  the  woods,  suffered  himself  when  he  had  ad- 
vanced within  ten  miles  of  the  fort,  to  be  surprized  by  an 
eunbuscade  of  French  and  Indians.  Vol.  2.  41. 


VIRGINIAN  201 

tie  Meadows,  and  he  did  not  join  the  army  until 
the  eighth  of  July,  too  late  to  remedy  the  mischief, 
if  indeed  his  influence  could  at  any  time  have 
extended  so  far.  He  arrived  in  a  covered  wag- 
gon, exhausted  by  disease  and  the  fatigues  of  his 
journey  :  But  the  ardour  of  his  spirit  and  the 
urgency  of  the  crisis  would  not  permit  him  to 
take  any  repose,  and  he  immediately  entered  on 
the  duties  of  his  station. 

IN  the  morning  of  the  9th,  general  Braddock 
made  preparations  for  passing  the  Monongahela.  ^he  arniV 
A  chosen  body  of  three  hundred  light  and  un    cros*  the 
incumbered  men,  under  the  command  cf  colonel  Mononga- 
Gage,  passed  as  the  advanced  guard  for  the  pur-  hela  in  or* 
pose  of  covering  the  army  and  scouring  the  coun-  t,ero     d* 
try.     These  were  quickly  followed  by  a  party  of 
two  hundred,  who  were  instructed  to  act  as  a  re- 
serve to  the  other  detachment.       The  general 
himself,   with  the   column  of  baggage,  artillery 
and   the  main  body  of  the  army,  passed  the  river 
at  one  o'clock,  and  proceeded  in  order  of  battle 
in   the   route  of  the   other   detachment,    which 
moved  slow,    and    halted   occabionally    for   the 
coming  up  of  the  crntre.     The  general  had  ad- 
vanced but  a  short  distance  from  the  bank,  when 
a  quick  and  heavy  fire  was  distinctly  heard  in  the 
front  and  left  flank,  and  the  main  body  advanced 
to  support  it.     But  bef  >re  this  could  take  place 
parties  of  three  hundred  and  two  hundred  suc- 
cessively fell  back  on  the  main   body,  to  which 
they  immediately  communicated  their  panic  and 
confusion,  and  fr  jm  which  no  eibrts  or  exertions 
could  afterwards  relieve  them.     The  firing  now 
extended  to  every  point      Nothing  could  now  Fort  Du* 
be  more  unequal  than  the  circumstances  of  the 
two  armies.     The  French  drawn  up  in  the  form 
of  a  crescent  at  the  skirt  of  a  thick  forest  which 


202  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  appeared  to  have  been  studiously  cut  into  this 
A.  ]  * '  .  iorni,  and  their  position  was  strengthened  by  par- 
ties oi  Indians,  who  concealed  in  the  grass  and 
shrubs,  ambuscaded  the  whole  ground  on  the 
flanks  almost  to  the  edge  of  the  river.  The  route 
ofBiadciock  la\  directly  in  the  cer.tre  of  the  trench 
position,  and  they  had  it  in  their  \  o\\er  to  attack 
him  at  any  moment  with  the  greatest  advantage. 
It  was  thought  prudent,  however,  to  let  him  ap- 
proach to  a  gentle  eminence,  at  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  of  their  certre,  where  a  most  de- 
structive fire  was  pourtd  in  fj  oni  behind  the  felled 
trees  and  brushwood,  with  which  the  French  had 
masked  their  whole  position  at  the  skirt  oi  the 
wood.  The  volley  from  the  French  centre  was 
the  signal  for  the  Indians,  who,  after  firing  fiom 
the  grass  and  bushes,  spread  themselves  over  the 
plain. 

THE  same  fatal  principle  of  maneuvering  that 

retarded  the  march,  was  closel)  observed.     The 

British  w  eie  draw  n  up  in  tw  o  lines  with  the  artil- 

And  routed  j        in  the   Centie;  and   they  presented  a  solid 

*ith  nreat          .*        ,  ,      ,    r  ,      «        J     *  ,-, 

daughter.  l'oint»  black  front  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  Lvery 
thing  that  depended  on  courage  was  performed  by 
'the  general,  ije  was  distinguished  in  front  on 
horse  back,  endeavouring  to  dispel  the  fears  of 
the  troops.,  and  crying  out  to  them  to  advance, 
his  face  pictured  with  the  violence  of  his  inter- 
nal tmoiions.  The  officers  followed  his  gallant 
example.  But  no  exhortations ;  no  example  could 
concjuer  the  panic  of  the  troops.  For  three  hours 
the  battle  had  lasted  without  the  least  intermis- 
sion in  the  slaughter,  or  in  the  panic  and  confu- 
sion. The  British  yet  kept  their  ground  :  But 
their  firmness  arose  rather  from  obstinacy  than 
courage.  No  entreaties  of  the  officers  could  in- 
duce them  to  fire  with  qny  precision  or  effect. 
Their  ammunition  was  wasted,  and  they  gathered 


VIRGINIA.  20* 

themselves  into  a  body  twelve  deep,  in  defiance  CHAP. 
of  every  effort  to  order,  and  in  titir  coniuMon 
bhot  down  their  own  men.  In  vi'in  die  unfortu- 
nate general  attempted  to  restore  order,  he  had 
already  five  horses  shot  from  under  him  ;  and 
l,oth  his  aids  \\ere  killed  at  his  si  e.  Nearh  half 
t'<e  officers  were  tiled  or  wounded,  and  the 
ground  was  covered  with  dead  bodies.  In  this 
dismal  situation,  the  general  received  a  shot  in  his 
lungs  through  his  right  arm,  and  fell  from  his 
horse.  This  was  the  signal  for  a  general  rout 
amongst  the  regulars.  From  this  moment  every 
tl  ing  was  havoc,  flight  and  dismay,  and  the  of- 
ficers, who  displayed,  in  advancing  against  the 
enemies'  flanks  in  the  woods,  the  most  romantic 
gallantry,  were  reluctantly  hurried  along  with  the 
torrent.  The  provincial  troops,  better  acquaint- 
ed with  the  Indian  mode  of  fighting,  by  disper- 
sing themselves,  and  covering  the  flight  of  the 
regulars,  and  prevented  by  their  courage  and  ex- 
perience the  entire  extermination  ot  the  army.* 
MEANWHILE  the  general  was  brought  off  the 
field  in  a  tumbril  by  colonel  Washington,  captain 
Stewart  of  his  guards,  and  his  servants ;  and  by 
the  unequalled  bravery  of  this  body  he  was  saved 
from  the  distressful  condition  of  a  captive.  It 
would  have  been  a  melancholy  aggravation  of  the 
distress  and  disgrace  of  the  whole  army,  to  have 
seen  their  venerable  leader  the  victim  ot  his  own 
too  ardent  courage,  fall  into  the  power  of  an  in- 
solent and  barbarous  enemy,  who  regarded  not 
the  rights  or  usages  of  civilized  war,  and  whose 
lust  of  revenge  and  savage  ferocity  were  the  oi^ly 
measures  of  right  and  wrong. 


Wynne's  British  Am,  Vol.  2.  ji.  42. 


t04  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  NOTHING  could  have  been  more  imprudent 
than  the  measures  pursued  to  remedy  the  disor- 
der induced  b}  the  defeat  of  the  advanced  guard. 
Instead  of  a  retreat  until  he  had  an  opportunity 
of  scouring  the  thickets  with  grape  shot  from  his 
ten  pieces  of  cannon,  or  of  orders  from  the  In- 
dian allies  and  provincials,  to  advance  and  flank 
the  enemies'  ambush,  he  obstinately  continued 
on  the  ground  most  exposed  to  the  enemies'  fire, 
and  repeated  his  orders  to  form  and  advance. 

THE  rout  of  the  army  continued  until  they 
recrossed  the  Monongahela,  when  they  again 
formed  and  proceeded  in  their  retreat  with  some 
appearance  of  order.  They  had  now  an  opportu- 
nity of  observing  more  minutely  the  melancholy 
reverse  of  fortune,  and  their  reflection  was  em- 
bittered by  comparing  the  shattered  state  and 
bleeding  remnants  with  its  gallant  plight  a  few 
hours  before,  when  they  passed  the  river  in  order 
of  battle.  More  than  sixty  officers  were  either 
killed  or  wounded.  Upwards  of  three  hundred 
and  eighty  privates  were  killed  or  taken,  and 
three  hundred  and  twenty- eight  wounded.  All 
the  baggage,  stores,  tents,  artillery,  and  even 
the  general's  cabinet,  containing  his  instructions 
and  other  papers  of  consequence,  had  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.  But  past  misfortunes 
were  aggravated  by  the  prosptct  before  them. 
They  had  to  travel  more  than  sixty  miles  through 
a  wilderness  exhausted  as  they  were,  and  if  they 
should  escape  the  scalping  knife  the)'  must  perish 
for  the  want  of  food. 

IT  is  difficult  to  give  any  estimate  either  of  the 
force  or  loss  of  the  enemy  in  this  action.  By 
their  own  accounts  both  were  inconsiderable,  and 
this  appears  to  have  been  the  opinion  of  colonel 
Washington.  Covered  and  almost  concealed  dur- 
ing the  action,  they  could  have  suffered  but  little 


VIRGINIA;  20s 

from  the  fire  of  a  confused,  terrified  and  routed 
army,  more  intent  on  escaping  than  inflicting  de- 
struction. 

THE  conduct  of  the  Virginia  troops  in  this 
action  has  been  the  theme  of  deserved  eulogy. 
To  speak  the  language  of  the  time,  they  fought 
like  men  and  died  like  soldiers;  for  ouf  of  the 
three  companies  that  were  in  the  field,  scarcely 
thirty  escaped.  Captain  Perroney  and  all  his  of- 
ficers down  to  a  corporal  were  killed.  Captain 
Poison's  company  shartd  almost  as  hard  a  late, 
only  one  of  his  men  escaping.  He  himself  was 
amongst  the  slain.  Captain  IS  le  wart  and  his  light 
horse  behaved  gallantly,  having  twenty  five  killed 
out  of  twenty  nine.  Colonel  V\  ashington  be- 
haved throughout  with  the  greatest  coolness  and 
resolution.  Alter  the  loss  of  Mr.  Orne  and  Mr. 
Moiris,  the  general's  aids,  who  hud  been  wound- 
ed early  in  the  battle,  on  him  devolved  the  wb  >le 
duty  of  forwarding  the  orders  of  th<  comm 
in  chief,  amidst  an  incessant  fire  of  marksmen  of 
three  hours  continuance,  lie  had  two  horses  shot 
under  him  and  four  bullets  through  his  clothes, 
yet  he  came  off  unhiut,  and  contributed  by  his 
coolness  and  activity  to  save  the  shattered  renums 
of  the  army.  After  the  battle  he  \vas  dispatched 
to  the  camp  of  colonel  Dunbar  to  procure  bome 
comfortable  provisions  for  the  troops,  at  u 
place  he  arrived  at  the  following  evening  ;  and  in 
a  short  time  he  was  joined  by  the  a  rim ,  exhibit- 
in  £  a  picture  of  wretchedness  iuffijient  to  melt 
into  compassion  every  beholder. 

THE  absence  of  Durbar  from  the  battle  of 
Monongaheia  was  esteemed  a  fortunate  incident. 
For  a-nidst  the  panic  that  prev  tiled,  numbers 
would  have  been  rather  an  injury;  and  but  ior 
the  provisions  found  in  his  c.mip,  no  human  ex- 
pedient could  have  savxci  the  lives  oi  Uic 


:06  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.         AT  this  place  died  general  Braddock,.  a  rnnri 

Tj* by  his  ardour  and  resolution,  his  noble  contempt 

of  death,  his  generous  thirst  of  fame,  deserving 
a  better  fate.  His  misfortunes  and  those  of  the 
army  arose  from  a  fatal  mistake,  into  which  he 
had  fallen  in  common  with  all  the  officers  of  the 
regulars  serving  in  America;  an  obstinate  perse- 
verance in  the  principles  of  the  art  of  war  a>  eon. 
ducted  by  large  armies  in,  Europe ;  a  too  high 
opinion  of  the  courage  and  discipline  of  British 
regulars,  one  somewhat  bordering  on  contempt 
for  the  provincial  troops.  It  WAS  owing  to  this 
blind  and  fatal  p>es  imption  that  the  provincial 
corps  was  left  be!  *n  '  at  tort  Cumberland,  at  the 
Little  and  Great  Meadows  and  with  Dunbar : 
And  that  only  three  companies  of  Virginians  were 
retained  with  the  main  army,  and  even  these  per- 
haps merely  in  compliment  to  Mr.  Washington 
and  the  colony,  which  was  the  immediate  theatre 
of  action. 

BUT  a  mistake  so  general,  that  it  becomes  a 
sort  of  popular  belief,  ought  to  affect  only  in  a 
slight  degree  the  fame  of  the  commander  in  chief. 
In  Europe  his  adherence  to  system,  added  to  his 
genius  and  courage,  would  have  probably  in- 
sured success  to  his  efforts.  In  any  event,  his 
magnanimous  courage,  added  to  his  misfortunes, 
will  raise  up  for  him  advocates  among  the  brave ; 
and  the  traveller  as  he  walks  on  the  banks  of  the 
Monongahela,  and  contrasts  the  proud  array  and 
majestic  spectacle  of  Braddock 's  passage  of  the 
river  in  the  morning,  with  the  afflicting  vie\v  of 
a  shattered  army  with  their  dying  general  rcpas- 
sing  it  in  the  afternoon,  will  mingle  with  his  re- 
flections  on  the  capricious  tenure  of  human  great- 
ness, a  sentiment  of  sorrow  for  the  ikte  of  this 
gallant  spirit. 


VIRGINIA.  207 

MEANWHILE  it  became  necessary  to  adopt  CHAP, 
some  plan  of  operations  better  suited  to  the  pre-  _ 
suit  condition  of  the  army.  The  number  of  the 
worses  was  reduced,  and  those  remaining  were 
10  exhausted  that  all  hope'  of  bringing  off  the 
itores,  artillery  and  baggage>  was  necessarily 
ibandoned.  An  attempt  to  defend  any  of  the  in- 
jermcdiute  positions  in  the  present  panic  of  the 
irmy,  was  looked  on  as  equally  chimerical,  and 
;olonel  Dunbar,  on  whom  devolved  the  com- 
nand,  after  destro}  ing  ever)  tiling  superfluous, 
o  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  ene- 
n) ,  proceeded  with  the  utmost  expedition  to  Fort 
Cumberland,  from  whence  immediately  after, 
inder  pretence  of  wintering  and  recruiting,  he 
narched  to  Philadelphia. 

To  every  man  of  judgment  in  the  army  there 
ppeartd  but  one  mode  of  alleviating  the  present 
nisfonunes  and  averting  consequences  still  more 
lisastrous.  It  was  certain  that  on  the  departure 
>f  the  army,  innumerable  detachments  would 
iescend  the  Alleghany  with  fury,  and  deluge 
he  frontiers.  A  strong  garrison  at  Fort  Cum- 
>erland  or  some  other  commanding  position, 
phere  the  rt  mains  of  the  army  might  fortify 
hemselves,  could  alone  furnish  an  efficient  bar- 
ier  to  these  irruptions.  Instead  of  this,  the  sick 
nd  wounded  were  left  at  this  post  with  only  two 
om panics  of  provincial  militia,  whilst  the  re- 
nainder,  consisting  of  sixteen  hundred  choice 
nen,  were  transported  to  a  quarter  where  they 
ould  be  of  no  immediate  advantage. 

THE  conduct  of  the  regular  troops  had  a  con- 
iderable  effect  in  abating  the  long  established  no- 
ion  of  their  great  superiority :  on  Mr.  Wash- 
ngion  in  particular  it  excited  a  strong  disgust ; 
viiiist  the  prowess  of  the  Virginians  affected -him 
\itii  Aiibure  and  admiration.  In  his  letter  to  the 


208  HISTORY  OF 

governor,  after  dwelling  on  the  courage  of  the 
Virginia  troops,  he  adds,  "  the  dastardly  beha- 
viour of  the  regular  troops  (so  called)  exposed 
those  \\ho  were  inclined  to  do  their  duty  to  cer- 
tain depth ;  and  at  length  in  spite  of  every  effort 
to  the  contrary,  they  broke  and  ran  as  sheep  be- 
fore the  hounds,  leaving  the  artillery ,  ammuni- 
tion, provisions,  baggage,  and  in  short  every 
thing  a  prey  to  the  enemy  ;  and  when  wre  endea- 
voured to  rally  tht  in  in  hopes  of  regaining  the 
gu;iind,  and  what  thty  had  left  upon  it,  it  was 
with  as  little  success  as  if  we  had  attempted  to 
have  stopped  the  wild  bears  of  the  mountains  or 
the  runlets  with  our  feet,  for  they  would  break  in 
spite  of  every  effort  to  prevent  it." 

THE  immediate  consequences  of  this  disastrous 
battle  were  the  exposure  of  all  the  frontier  settle- 
ments to  the  destructive  incursions  of  the  savages. 
Parties  of  French  Indians  had  already  approached 
Fort  Cumberland,  which  they  surrounded,  and 
even  penetrated  in  several  points  to  the  Blue  Ridge, 
n.aiking  their  track  with  blood  and  desolation. 
Dispatches  arrived  every  hour  of  atrocities, 
whose  bare  recital  are  shocking  to  the  feelings  of 
human  nature,  and  neither  age,  innocence  nor 
sex  offered  any  stay  to  those  barbarities.  In  this 
desperate  crisis  the  lieutenant  governor  thought 
proper  immediately  to  summon  an  assembly,  as 
the  only  effectual  mode  of  affording  a  remedy  to 
the  complicated  distresses  of  the  country,  and 
this  body  accordingly  convened  on  Tuesday  the 
4th  of  August. 

THE  session,  which  was  short,  wras  wholly  oc- 
cupied in  providing  for  the  wants  and  security  of 
the  colony,  and  however  cautious  they  might  have 
formerly  been  in  disbursing  the  monies  of  their 
constituents,  it  appeared  that  when  the  crisis  aiot,e 


VIRGINIA, 

answering  to  their  ideas  of  necessity  they  coii!d  be 
genenrjs  if  not  profuse  of  the  public  resources.* 

A*  order  was  made  for  raising- a  regiment,  to 
consist  of  sixteen  companies,  and  funds  were 
set  a  part  for  this  and  other  services,  beyond  what 
had  hitherto  appeared  of  colonial  bounty.  The 
command  of  this  body  was  given  to  colonel  Wash- 
ington with  the  command  in  chief,  as  his  coin- 
mission  specified,  of  all  the  force*  raised  and  to 
be  raised  in  Virginia,  and  with  the  uncommon 
privilege  of  naming  his  oivn  field  officers. 

NOTHING  certainly  bespeaks  more  forcibly  the 
opinion  thus  early  entertained  of  his  capaci'y  thim 
this  appointment :  Nor  was  this  reputation  ibund- 
ed,  as  too  often  happens,  on  the  glare  of  a  single 
achievement :  But  on  the  consummate  prurience 
and  address  displayed  during  a  course  of  the 
most  adverse  fortune.  It  is  the  mind  that  pre- 
serves its  tenor  in  the  midst  of  revu's.s  thai  is 
alone  formed  for  true  greatness 

THE  situation  of  the  colonies  at  this  time  sug- 
gested to  Dr.  Benj  imin  Franklin  the  propriety  of 
adopting  some  efficient  plan  of  union  amongst 
the  British  colonies ;  arid  commissioners  froai 
New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Khode  Island, 
New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  met  at 
Albany  for  ihis  purpose. 


*  Mr.  Marshall  erroneous' y  supposes  tha'  the  a 
was  in  session  when  the  news  arrived  of  B  -ulclock's  d- feat. 
Independent  of  the  (late*  the  lan.^u  :.g.?  of  the 
communication  to  both  houses,  effectually  'ieitr  i:»es 
pMint.  "  I  am  truly  sorry,'*  he  says,  "  for  the  occasion  '>{ 
t  tiling  you  together  so  suddenly,  but  the  unevp-cted  and 
i<  \\  defeat  of  general  Rraddock  at  Motion^  ...i.it  is 

absolutely  necessary  to  call  the  as-,e;ubi»V   »ic, 

2  C 


210  HISTORY  OF 


^  Dr.  FRANKLIN  attended  here  as  a 
si<  i;er  iiuiu  Pennsylvania,  and  produced  a  plan,, 
oi  Ai-  which,  from  tbe  place  of  meeting,  has  been  usu- 
all)  termed,  "  The  Albany  Flan  of  Union."  Thi&: 
proposed,  that  application  should  be  made  ior 
an  act  of  parliament,  to  establish  in  the  colonies 
a  general  government,  to  be  administered  by  a 
president-  general,  appointed  by  the  crown,  and 
b)  a  grand  council,  consisting  of  members  cho- 
sen b)  the  representatives  of  the  different  colo- 
nies ;  their  number  to  be  in  direct  proportion  to; 
the  sums  paid  by  each  colony  into  the  general 
treasury,  vith  this  restriction,  that  no  colonyr. 
should  have  more  than  seven,  nor  less  than  two 
representatives.  The  whole  executive  authority 
was  committed  to  the  president  general.  The 
nower  of  legislation  was  lodged  in  the  grand 
council  and  president-  general  jointly  ;  his  consent 
being  made  necessary  to  passing  a  bill  into  a  law. 
The  power  vested  in  the  president  and  council, 
v,  ere,  to  declare  war  and  peace,  and  to  conclude 
treaties  with  the  Indian  nations;  to  regulate  trade 
with,  and  to  make  purchases  of  vacant  lands 
from  them,  cither  in  the  name  of  the  crown,  or 
of  the  union  ;  to  settle  new  colonies,  to  rmike 
laws  for  governing  these  until  they  should  be' 
erected  into  separate  governments,  and  to  raise 
troops,  build  forts,  fit  out  armed  vessels,  and. 
lise  other  means  for  the  general  defence  :  And,  to 
c.iect  these  things,  a  power  was  given  to  make 
laws,  laying  such  duties,  imposts,  or  taxes,  as 
thty  should  find  necessary,  and  as  would  be  least 
burdensome  to  the  people.  Ail  laws  were  to  be 
sent  to  England  for  the  king's  approbation  ;  and 
unless  disapproved  of  within  three  years,  were 
to  remain  in  iorce.  All  officers  in  the  land  or 
sea  service  were  to  be  nominated  by  the  presi- 
dent-general, and  approved  of  by  the  general 


VIRGINIA.^  211 


Council;  civil  officers  were  to.  be  nominated  b?; 
the  council,  and  approved  by  the  presides." 
Such  are  the  oudines  of  the  pLm  proposed,  for 
the  consideration  of  the  congress,  by  Dr.  F  <  nk- 
lin.  After  several  days  discussion,  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  to  by  the  commissioners,  a  copy 
transmitted  to  each  assembh,  and  one  to  the 
king's  council.  The  fate  of  it  was  singular.  It 
was  disapproved  of  by  the  ministry  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, because  it  gave  too  much  power  to  the  re- 
presentatives of  the  people  ;  and  it  was  rejected 
by  every  assembly,  as  giving  to  the  presidmt 
general,  the  representative  of  the  crown,  an  in- 
fluence greater  than  appeared  to  them  proper  in 
a  plan  of  government  intended  for  freemen. 

MEANWHILE  expresses  continually  arrived 
that  a  large  bod}  of  Indians  joined  to  a  select  corps 
of  Fren  h  had  issued  from  Fort  Duquesne,  and 
were  spreading  destr  uction  on  the  defenceless  fron- 
tiers of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Virginia.  So 
far  from  being  able  to  restrain  the  fury  of  the  e 
irruptions,  the  regulars  and  militia  pent  up  in 
forts,  h*d  the  misery  of  viewing  the  desolation, 
which  they  could  not  relieve.  The  conflagration 
of  houses  ;  women  and  children  ripped  open  whilst 
yet  alive;  old  men  knocked  on  the  head  ai>.d 
scalped,  and  every  brutal  indignity  and  mutual 
lion  inflicted  on  their  bleeding  bodies  by  the  drun- 
ken triumph  of  savages,  were  rendered  familiar 
by  their  frequency  and  repetition* 

Mr.  WASHINGTON,  who  was  on  his  way  to 
Williamsburg,  for  the  purpose  of  cotiferri'jqr 
with  the  governor  on  the  plan  of  operations  for 
the  campaign  ;  for  the  more  effectual  organization 
of  the  militia,  and  the  management  of  the  Indi- 
ans, was  overtaken  below  Freclericksburg  by  an 
express,  announcing  a  new  irruption  more  de- 
structive than  any  of  the  preceding,  and  he  hast- 


1S  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  erfr'  back  to  Winchester,  where  every  object 
_ .;  .  bespoke  ihe  terror  excised  by  these  dread  I  ul  in- 
vaders. "  Tht  back  inhabitants,  instead  of  as- 
sembling  in  arms  and  obtaining  safety  by  nu^  t- 
ing  the  enemy,  fied  into  the  lower  country,  and 
increosc  d  the  general  terror.  In  this  state  of 
things  he  endeavoured  to  collect  and  arm  the  men 
\\  ho  had  abandoned  their  houses,  and  to  remove 
their  wives  and  children  to  a  distance  from  the 
scene  of  desolation  and  carnage  exhibited  on  the 
frontiers ;  he  gave  too  the  most  pressing  order* 
to  the  new  appointed  officers,  of  whose  inatten- 
tion to  duty  he  greatly  complained,  to  hasten 
their  recruits ;  and  directed  the  county  lieute- 
nants below  the  Blue  Hidge  to  order  their  militia 
immediately  to  Winchester.  But  before  these 
orders  could  be  carried  into  execution  the  enemy 
jecrossed  the  Alleghany,  with  their  prisoners  and 
plunder,  leaving  behind  them  impressions  of  ter- 
i-:  ;  and  dismay  so  deep  as  no  time  could  after- 
v  arete  obliterate  or  eftace  :"#  This  writer,  to  illus- 
ti  ate  more  forcibly  his  remark  F,  nuot.es  largely  irom 
the  letters  and  dispatches  of  colonel  Washington. 
Descriptions  of  scenes  so  distressing  drawn  by 
the  principal  agent  and  rendered  more  vivid  by 
the  colourings  of  his  own  feelings  and  observa- 
tion, produce  an  effect  more  striking  and  drama, 
tic  than  the  narrative  of  the  historian.  But  this 
effect  should  not  be  weakened  by  a  too  frequent 
use.  Jt  may  serve  to  embellish  ai\d  illustrate  & 
particular  situation  or  incident:  But  the  order  of 
the  narrative  should  not  be  materially  interrupted. 
Under  this  impression  I  shall  abstain  from  quo- 
t,.  tions  heedlessly  resorted  to,  and  without  suffi- 
cient reason;  but  i  conceive  it  would  be  the 


of 


•VIRGINIA.  § 

last  *rp-~r  of  affectation,  when  writing-  arnrrntlve    CHAP. 
of  f-ictb,  to  omit  any  thing  that  may  conduce  to  u  _ 
more  complete  knowledge  of  those  facts,  for  no 
better  reason  than  because  it  has  been  adopted 
by  another. 

THE  snme  writer  snes  on  to  give  a  still  more 
effecting  -repetition  of  these  horrors  :  4'  Karlv  in 
the  ensuing  sprine,  the  enemy  invited  by  the  sac- 
cess  of  the  preceding  year,  made  another  irrup  175B- 
tiou  into  the  inhabited  country,  and  did  great 
mischief.  The  number  of  troops  on  the  regular 
establishment  was  toUlly  musuflicleTrt  f  >r  the  nro- 
tertio'  of  the  frontier,  and  it  was  foun  1  imprac- 
ticable to  obtain  effective  service  from  the  militia. 
The  Indians  divided  into  small  parties,  conceal- 
ed ht-mselves  with  so  much  dexterity,  as  seldom 
to  be  perceived  until  rhe  blow  \\  as  struck.  These 
murders  were  frequently  committed  in  the  very 
rieighbourhood  of  the  forts,  and  the  detachments 
from  the  garrisons,  which  were  e.rij>loyed  in 
scouring  the  country  were  generally  eluded,  or 
attacked  to  advantage.  In  one  of  these  skirmishes, 
immediately  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  stockade, 
%he  Americans  were  totally  routed,  and  cap1:  tin 
M«*r*.er  killed.  Such  was  the  confidence  of  the 
enemy,  that  the  smaller  forts  were  very  frequently 
-$i>s;t uked,  and  they  had  repeated  skirmishes* 


«*  *  In  Oiie  of  these  skirmishes,  Mr.  Donville,  an  ensign 
1n  the  French  servi  ;e  w.is  killed,  and  in  his  pocket  were 
found  the  orders  given  hiii  by  Dumas,  tK*  cosiimandant  or» 
3t»c  Oti'to,  in  winch  he  was  <ii reeled  to  pass  Fort  Cumber- 
land, to  harass  the  convoys,  and,  if  possible,  to  burn  the 
fiiairttgines  at  Conogagees.  l*o  the  honour  of  Du.nas,  par- 
ticular instruc  tons  were  given,  to  restrain  the  Indians  a-%  tap 
as  it  should  be  in  his  power,  from  murdering  those  wrha 
/should  f«»il  into  'heir  han-'s.  Unfor;iiuutcly>  obedience  10 
orders  cuuW  ssiduni  be  euforccU.'"' 


•214 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP,  with  such  scouting  parties  as  they  fell  in  tvith:* 
Ill>  The  people  either  abandoned  the  country,  or  at- 
Govern,.  r  templed  io  secure  themselves  in  small  stockade 
forts,  where  they  were  in  great  distress  for  pro- 
visions, arms,  and  ammunition  ;  were  often  surv 
-rounded  and  sometimes  cut  off.  With  this  state 
of  things  colonel  Washington  was  deeply  affected* 
"  I  see  their  situation,"  said  he,  in  a  letter  to  the 
lieutenant  governor,  "  I  know  their  danger,  and 
participate  their  sufferings,  without  having  it  in  my 
power  to  give  them  further  relief  than  uncertain 
promises.  In  short,  I  see  inevitable  destruction  in 
so  clear  a  light,  that,  unless  vigorous  measures 
are  taken  by  the  assembly,  and  speedy  assist- 
ance sent  from  below,  the  poor  inhabitants  novr 
in  forts  must  unavoidably  fall,  while  the  remainr 
der  are  flying  before  the  barbarous  foe.  In  fine, 
the  melancholy  situation  of  the  people,  the  little 
prospect  of  assistance,  the  gross  and  scandalous, 
abuses  cast  upon  the  officers  in  general,  which  is 
reflecting  on  me  in  particular,  for  suffering  mis- 
.  conduct  of  such  extraordinary  kind,  and  the  disr 
tant  prospect,  if  any,  of  gaining  reputation  in 
the  service,  cause  me  to  lament  the  hour  thai 
gave  me  a  commission,  and  would  induce  me, 
at  any  other  time  than  this  of  imminent  danger, 
to  resign,  without  one  hesitating  moment,  $ 
command,  from  which  I  never  expect  to  reap 
either  honour  or  benefit  :  But  on  the  contrary, 
K\ve  almost  an  absolute  certainty  of  incurring 
displeasure  below,  while  the  murder  of  helpless 
families  may  be  laid  to  my  account  here. 

%4  The  supplicating  tears  of  the  women,  and 
moving  petitions  of  the  men,  melt  me  with  such 
r  vadly  sorrow,  that  i  solemnly  declare,  if  1'know 
loy  own  mind,  1  could  offer  myself  a  willing  sa- 
<  .  »Hce  to  the  butchering  enemy,  provided  that 
\vouid  LOU  tribute  to  the  -people's  -ease."- 


VIRGINIA  2 

*  -THESE  multiplied  disasters  .induced  colonel  CHAP. 
Washington  to  propose  a  new  and  more  e&ctual 
organization  of  the  militia,  and  an  increase  of 
the  regular  troops  :  But  the  determined  economy 
of  the  assembly  refusing  to  sanction  his  projects, 
he  proposed  a  plan  of  defence,  by  establishing  a 
chain  of  twenty  two  forts  to  extend  from  the  ri- 
ver Mayo  to  the  Patowmac,  a  line  of  three  him- 
dred  and  sixty  miles.  This  project  required  a 
force  of  two  thousand  men :  Bat  onh  provision, 
for  ten  companies  could  be  extorted  from  the  as- 
sembly, and  the  project  could  therefore  be  onlyr 
partially  adopted. 

kt  LORD  LOUDON  at  length  arrived  in  Virginia, 
and  in  addition  to  his  character  as  commander  in 
chief,  he  w&s  clothed  with  the  highest  civil  au- 
thority, having  been  appointed  governor  of  the 
colony.  A  complimentary  address  from  the  re- 
giment, stating  their  pleasure  at  his  arrival  and 
appointment,  and  the  readiness  with  which  they 
'would  execute  his  commands,  was  presented  to 
him  ;  arid  a  very  comprehensive  statement  of  the 
situation  of  the  colony  in  a  military  point  of  view, 
and  of  the  regiment  in  particular,  was  drawn  up 
and  submitted  to  him  by  colonel  Washington. 
In  this  he  enumerated  the  errors  which  had  pre- 
vented the  completion  of  his  regiment,  showed 
the  insufficient)  of  the  militia,  and  demonstrated 
ihe  superiority  of  an  offensive  over  the  defensive 
systems  which  had  been  pursued.  After  stating 
the  particular  situation  of  the  forts,  lie  proceeded 
to  say,  4'  it  will  evidently  appear  irotn  the  whole 
tenor  of  m\  conduct,  but  more  especially  from 
my  reiterated  representations,  how  strongly  I 
have  urged  the  governor  and  assembly  to  pursue 
different  measures,  and  laboured  to  convince 
them  by  all  the  reasoning  I  was  cupahk  oi  oiLr- 
mg,  Ql  tat  iaipo^^iiiL}  of  covering  so  exten- 


lfr  fTISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  ?7ve  a  frcrtkr  from  Inciian  incursions,  without 
n.trc  force  than  \  irginia  can  maintain.  1  have 
erdeavcijred  to  demonstrate  that  it  \\ould  require 
kvui  n  en  to  remove  the  cause,  than  to  prevent 
the  effects  while  the  cause  exists." 

"  IROCEEDING  then  to  state  the  services  of  his 
regime  lit,  he  added,  tl  at  ui-der  the  disadvan- 
tageous restraints  which  had  been  enumerated, 
he-  must  be  permitted  to  observe,  that  the  regi- 
ment had  not  been  inactive.  "  On  the- contrary,'* 
he.  said,  "  it  has  performed  a  vast  deal  of  work, 
and  has  been  very  alert  in  defending:  the  people, 
which  will  appear  by  observing,  that  notwith- 
standing we  are  more  contiguous  to  the  *  rench  and 
their  Indian  allies,  and  more  exposed  to  their  fre- 
quent incursions  than  any  of  the  neighbouring 
colonies ;  we  have  not  lost  half  the  inhabitants 
which  others  have  done,  but  consider  ibly  more 
soldiers  in  their  defence,  r  or,  in  the  course  of  this 
campaign,  since  March  1  mean,  as  we  have  had 
but  one  constant  campaign,  one  continued  scene 
cf  action  since  we  first  entered  the  service,  our 
troops  have  been  engaged  in  upwards  of  twenty 
skirmishes,  and  wt-  have  h.id  near  OLIC  hunditd 
menkilled  and  wounded." 

"  AFTER  condemning-  the  ill  judged  economy 
shewn  in  raising  men,  he  proceeded  thus  to  de- 
scribe the  prevailing  temper  of  the  day,  a  temper 
by  no  means  peculiar  to  that  particular  err..  *'  We 
are  either  insensible  oi  danger  until  it  breaks  up- 
on our  heads;  or  else,  through  mistaken  notions 
of  economy,  evade  the  expense  until  the  blow  is 
struck,  and  then  run  into  an  extreme  of  raising 
r.  iiitia.  These,  after  a"  age  as  it  were,  is  spent 
ii»  assembling  them,  come  up,  make  a  noise  for 
?.  time,  rppuss  the  inhabitants,  and  then  reUrn, 
3<avirg  tl*  fio'Uicrs  us^unrotd  as  1  e.ore.  This 
k  Mill  our  rciuii&e,  rot¥r*thfeta$dinf  iprnm 


VIRGINIA. 

perience  convince  us,  if  reason  diet  not,  that 
the  French  and  Indians  arc  watching  the  oppor- 
tunity when  it  shall  be  lulled  into  fatal  security, 
and  unprepared  to  resist  an  attack,  to  invade  the 
country,  and  by  ravaging  one  part,  terrify  ano- 
ther;  that  they  retreat  wnen  our  militia  assem- 
bie,  and  repeat  the  stroke  as  soon  as  they  are  dis- 
pcrstd  ;  that  the}  stud  down  parties  in  the  inter, 
mediate  time  to  discover  our  motions,  pr> 
intelligence;  and  sometimes  to  diver:  the  troops, 
buch  an  invasion  we  may  expect  in  March,  if 
measures  to  prevent  it  are  neglected  as  ihcv  hi- 
therto have  been.'1 

44  THIS  statement  wns  probably  presented  by 
colonel  Washington  in  person,   who  was  ptra.it- 
ted,  during  the   winter,  to   visit  lord  Loudon  in 
Philadelphia,  where  that  nobleman  met  the  go- 
vernors of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Nonh 
Carolina,   and  the  lieutenant  governor  of  Virgi- 
nia, in  order  to  rc-ir-iur.  vithth-:m  on  the  rrka- 
•siires  to  be  taken  in  their  respective  provinces, 
i'.r  the   ensuing  campaign.     He  was    however, 
disappointed  in  his  favourite  hope  of  being  eru- 
b-ed  to  act  . offensive;}'  against  the  French  o: 
Ohio.     L  rd  Louden   rud  determined  to  d-i    :t 
all  his  efforts  agaii.st  the  enemy  in  the  northern 
parts  of  the  continent,  and  to  leave  in  aid  of  the 
middle  c;nd  .sout!  ern  colonies  only  twelve  hun- 
dred men.     Instead  of  receiving  assistance,  Vir- 
ginia was  required  to  send  four  huudrc-d  men  to 
the  aid  of  South  Carolina  :  Yet  colonel  Wash- 
ington continued  indefatigable  in  h's  endeavours 
to  impress  on  Mr.  Dinwiddiei  and  on  ^he  assem- 
bly,   the   importance  of  reviving  and  properly 
modifying  their  military   code-,  which  had  now 
expired,  of  making  a  more  efficient  rrilria  !•-'.*, 
and  of  increasing  their  number  of  i 


318  HISTORY  OP 

•-•CHAP.  THE  assembly  prorogued  to  the  27th  of  Oc- 
1  tober,  was  dissolved  on  the  9th  oi  November, 
and  wrifs  were  issued  for  a  new  assembly  to  meet 
on  the  22d  of  the  same  month.  The  sole  aiten- 
tion  of  government  was  now  ciireeted  to  the  de- 
fence oi  the  frontiers,  and  as  the  late  disasters 
were  supposed  to  flow  from  the  sins  of  the  peo- 
ple, a  fast  was  enjoined  b\  proclamation,  for  the 
purpose  of  averting  the  anger  of  heaven.  As 
some  alleviation  of  the  present  distresses,  inform- 
ation was  received  that  the  Cherokecs  and  Ca- 
tawbas,  hitherto  enemies,  had  smoked  the  ca- 
lumet of  peace  at  Fort  Cumberland,  and  had 
jointly  taken  up  the  war  club  in  favour  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  danced  the  war  dance,  the  usual  pre- 
face of  Indian  war. 

THE  campaign  to  the  north,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  defeat  and  capture  of  Baron  Diescaw, 
Was  equally  inglorious;  notwithstanding  the  great 
force  employed  by  the  colonies,  it  failed  in  every 
one  of  its  parts.  Johnson  direcu  d  an  expedi- 
tion against  Crown  Point,  and  Shirley  against 
Niagara :  But  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  sea- 
son both  were  abandoned,  and  troops  put  into 
winter  'quarters. 

THE  plan  of  operations  conceived  by  the  pro- 
vincial  generals  appears  to  have  been  judicious.  Its- 
first  feature  was  the  reduction  of  Niagara,*  for 


«  *  Niagara  is  wit)  out  exception,  the  r  ost  important 
post  in  America,  and  secures  ii  greater  number  of  commu- 
mentions,  through  a  mere  tx  ensive  country,  than  perhaps 
any  other  pass  in  the  world  ;  for  it  is  sUuattd  at  the  very 
<;i  fanceofa  streighi  by  which  L.ike  Ontario  is  pined  to  that 
pf  F>ic,  which  is  connected  with  the  otr.cr  three  great  lakt* 
by  the  course  of  the  v*st  river  St.  Lawrence,  which  runs 
jUirough  them  all,  and  carrirs  off  their  superfluous  waters  t» 
tl)e»ctan.  A  htlk  ab«ve  the  fort  is  the  Cataract  of  Nia>- 


VIRGINIA. 

CHAfV 


the  purpose  of  destroying  the  commiH?afion  he-     CHA 
tweeu    C.inadx   and    Loui^htv.t.       Hi     safety    -f        *j 
New   York   requ'r^d  the  reduction  of  Ticonrle- 
roga  and  Crown    I'oint.     l'!i"  p^'uSiM*   passes 


gara,  the  most  remaikthlc  in  t  e  *oil  :  for  il-.c  41 »:..  ai1-  of 
water  and  the  jjitatn-.ss  ot  the  full ;  the  pfjrp<  ;  dicuiav  tall 
of  the  water  bein<  <•  xacciy  otic  iu.mlrcd  rvx\  thirty -scvun 
fetrt.  Tiiis  faU  wouid  interrupt  the  cornmerc.-  between  vne 
two  lakes,  but  fora  road  rn,;d  :>y  the  F  e-.ch  u^  tlic  h;i'.y 
country  thai  lies  by  the  s'rei'-^ir  ;  so  liid  ,  .tftir  truveli  n^ 
about  eight  miles,  persons  m  *y  feimb  k  m\<\  ^ro-x^d, 
without  fiirtiier  iMetruptioa,  to  f  e  L -.k>r  line 

<*  Those  who  travel  by  land  ^re  ais  j  UD!:  (ed  to  cross  the 
streigiit;  the  lakes  be  »^  so  d^soosecK  Miai  wi-'h  u'  a  h ,-zu  d- 
ous  voyage  trie  Indiati>  caiunit  otherwise  pass  tro-n  the 
no .tu-west  t>  the  s,>uth-east  p^r;.s  of  North  \nierca,  for 
many  hu  idred  miles.  T  e  Tort  of  MM  ara:  thus  naturally 
commands  the  Six  Nations,  ^r.d  all  h  »  e  IndhM  T.b.-s  :iiat 
lie  to  the  nonhwatd  of  tii,,  lakes,  us  well  a«>  tiivine  hat  are 
scattered  alon^  the  bunks  of  the  O  vo,  ^)tuoachf  aiK<  *>1.s« 
sibsippi,  and,  according  as  it  was  p^s^ii'ied  by  the  French 
or  English,  conncc<ed  or  disjointed  Canada  and  Louisiana. 

•'  From  the  time  UK-  French  \t»re  acquainted  wuh  t'Tis 
place,  they  were  fully  sensible  of  its  importance  ...both  win 
respect  to  trade  and  do<m'uou  Ther  made  several  at- 
tempts to  establish  themselves  here  ;  bi»t  the  Indians  con- 
stantly opposed  it,  and  ob  iged  them  to  rel»r«q»nsa  a  fort 
\vhich  they  had  built;  and  guarded  ,his  sptii,  tor  a  ioog 
time,  with  a  very  severe  and  piudcnt  jealousy. 

"  liut  whilst  we  neglected  tocukiVite  ihc  iov^-  of  the  In- 
dia-, is,  the  French  omitted  no  endeavours  to  ^ain  thest    »a- 
va^e-5  to  tlieir  jiverest ,  and  prevailed  at  last,  under  the  n.\nrie 
oi  u  trading  hour,?,  to  crecr  a  strong  fort  at  the  mouth  of 
the  streight.     A  French  officer,  of  an  enterprising  genius, 
J)ad  becii  a  prisoner  among  the  Iroquois  a  lonwr  time  ;  and, 
according  to  their  custom,  having  been  naturalized, 
very  popular  amongst  them,  and  at  Uist  rcgaim.-d  ;as  liberty. 
He  coaunuiiicaied  to  the  then  gotftrnor  of  Canadaa  pi--11  i()r. 
an  esUblishment  ai  Niagara, and  nnd*  nook  to  t-xecuie  H  i«i-n- 
sclf.     K^  returned  amonsjj  the     I^quo-.s,    aw    pi 
great  lovj    for   their  nation,   \vh>c;-.   \Vi->  t\o\v  »\is  O«A 
ihcm  he  would  gladly  visii  his  t-ieuatn  frequently  i 


>SO  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  on  Lake  Champlain  were  to  have  been  secured. 
Fort  Duquesne  besieged,  and  Quebre  itself 
threatened  by  an  army  by  the  Kennebeek.  But 
the  delay  oi  lord  London,  who  was  appointed  the 
successor  of  Shirley,  paralized.  these  projects. 
The  want  of  union  and  capacity  in  the  British 
ministry  h<  d  retarded  the  expedition  until  the  sta» 
sui  was  oo  far  advanced. 

Mr  N  T c  A L M,  a ;soldier  of  reputation,  who  had 
L.Ttiy  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  all  the 
Fieuch  in  America,  seized  this  interval  of  sus- 
pense and  t.  mbarrassment  to  strike  a  blow  that 
should  letrieve  the  honour  of  the  French  arms, 
Slid  establish  on  a  firm  foundation  the  safety  of 
Can  ida.  He  set  cut  from  Quebec  w  ith  a  chosen 
body  of  French,  and  by  a  c-  ursecf  bold  and  ju- 
dick.us  maneuvres,  having  distractc  d  the  atkn- 
ticn  of  he  Americans,  he  successively  apptaud 
before  the  important  posts  at  Oswego  and  On- 
ail  of  v\  hich  were  carried  with  scarcely  any 


was  proper  f -r  that  purpose  that  they  should  allow  him  to 
buuc!  nimscli  an  houst,  "here  he  might  Jive  according  to 
Jus  own  manner;  at  the  same  time,  proposing  to  them  ad- 
vantages in  trade  for  this  establishment.  His  reques'  was 
easily  planted  The  house  was  huilt,  and  by  degrees  tx- 
tcm  et'  aril  strengthened  by  various  additions,  and  at  last 
btc  -me  .-  regular  fortress,  which  had  evtr  since  awed  the 
Six  Nations,  and  checked  our  colonies. 

^  As  to  these  immense  lakes,  which  are  all  in  a  manner 
commanded  by  ?his  fort,  the  reader  need  only  cast  his  eyes 
on  the  map  of  N.-  rth  America  to  be  convinced  of  their  im- 
poiunci-.  They  afford  by  fur  the  most  extensive  inland  na- 
vigation in  the  whole  universe.  Whoever  is  master  of  them 
&,urt  sooner  or  later  command  that  whole  continent.  They 
are  all  surrounded  by  a  tine  fruitful  country,  in  a  tempe- 
rate please m  climate.  The  day  may  possibly  come  when 
this  noble  country,  which  seems  calculated  for  universal 
Will  biiftVi  -p'iy  display  iisown  importance-" 

tt-.ynnt's  British  dvi*  Vol.  2.  /i.  102—104^ 


VIRGINIA.  221 

opposition.     The  earl  of  Loudon,  who  had  ar-     CHAP, 
rived  immediately  after  these  disasters,  contented 
himself  with  making  preparations  for  the  ensuing 
campaign. 

FORT  Granville,  on  the  frontiers  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, was  at  the  same  time  surprized  by  a  body 
of  Indians,  and  the  garrison  with  their  wives  and 
children  driven  into  captivity  ;  whilst  roving  par- 
ties extending  themselves,  spread  terror  and  de- 
solation along  the  vast  extent  of  undefended  fron- 
tier. 

THE  only  offset  to  the  multiplied  disasters 
arose  from  a  spirited  incursion  into  the  enem\  's 
country,  by  colonel  Armstrong  at  the  head  of  two 
hundred  and  eighiy  provincials.  He  proceeded 
from  Fort  Shirky  on  the  Juniata  to  Kttatinning, 
the  rendezvous  of  the  Morian  Indians,  who  had 
destroyed  Fort  Granviile.  This  settlement  hv 
twenty- five  miles  above  Fort  Duquesne  on  the 
Ohio ;  and  his  route  lay  through  thick  woods  and 
swamps,  a  distance  of  at  least  one  hundred  and 
forty  miles.  On  the  fifth  day  he  reached  the  town, 
at  one  hundred  yards  below  which  he  halted,  on 
the  banks  of  the  river,  and  disposed  his  men  in 
ambush.  The  Indians  engaged  in  celebrating: 
one  of  their  festivals,  uere  attacked  at  day 
break,  and  though  wholly  unprepared  defended 
themselves  with  heroic  bravery.  Captain  Ja- 
cobs, their  chief,  defended  his  house  through 
the  logs,  and  repeatedly  rejected  quarter.  The 
house  at  length  beng  fired  in  several  places,  ma- 
ny were  su-ftocattd;  and  Jacobs,  his  wife,  and  a 
child  called  the  king's  son,  were  shot  in  their  at- 
tempts to  escape  by  the  window.  Forty  Indians 
perished  in  this  assault,  and  eleven  Knglish  pri- 
soners were  released  Irom  a  captivity  worse  thaa 
death. 


HISTORY  OF 

To  repress  the  future  incursions  of  the  Indians^' 
a  strong  fort  was  built  at  Winchester,  which  was 
called  Loudon  in  honour  of  the  commander  in 
chief.  At  the  same  time  the  governor  of  Pennsj  l- 
vania  concluded  a  peace  with  the  Deluwarcs, 
who  inhabited  the  banks  of  the  Susquehannab. 
MEANWHILE  Dinwiddie  announced  his  in- 

-July  22,  tended  departure  from  the  colony  ;  and  the*  coun- 
cil, together  with  the  municipality  of  Williams- 
burg,  addressed  him  in  language  expressive  of 
their  esteem  and  respect.  Whilst  describing 
their  rep, ret  on  account  of  his  determination  they 
took  occasion  to  deplore  the  successless  efforts' 

,  of  the  British  fleets  and  armies.     He  saikd  in 

the  early  part  of  the  following  >ear,  leaving  the 
government,  according  to  established  usage  and 
the  king's  instructions,  in  the  hands  of  the  pre- 
sident of  council,  John  Blair.  > 
THE  characttr  of  IXinwiddie  is  marked  by  few 
of  those  points  which  render  a  rational  being  con*' 

£pril  24,  Spicuous  or  distinguished.  Previous  to  his  ap- 
58*  pointment  as  trovernor,  he  h  id  acted  as  clerk  to  a 
collector  of  the  customs  in  one  of  the  British 
West  Indies.  In  this  sUa<ttioii  he  h  K!  the  virtue 
and  sagacity  to  detect  and  expose  to  government, 
an  enormous  system  of  fraud  which  hud  been  prac- 
tised by  his  principal ;  and  was  for  this  service  im- 
mediately appointed  to  the  government  of  Virginia* 
In  this  situation,  rendered  critical  and  of  great  im- 
portance immediately  afttr  his  arrival  by  having 
given  rise  to  a  war  which  raged  in  every  quarter  of 
the  globe,  liis  conduct  is  liable  to  sever  A  strong  ob- 
jections. Several  charges  were  brought  against  hiav 
of  avarice  and  extortion  in  the  exaction  of  illegal 
fees;  and  against  one  in  particular  the  exaction  of 
a  pistole  for  every  patent;  the  assembly  protested 
iu  form,  by  their  agent  Peyton  Randolph,  the 
king's  attorney  general,  a  man  eminently  respect* 


VIRGINIA.  22S 

Sible  for  his  worth  and  talents^  A  still  more  se- 
rious ground  of  dispute  between  him  and  this 
high  minded  body,  arose  from  a  peculation 
of  a  more  daring  nature.  The  sum  of  twenty 
thousand  pounds,  transmitted  him  b)  his  govern- 
ment, as  a  compensation  to  Virginia  for  monies 
expended  by  her  beyond  her  proportion,  remain- 
ed unaccounted  for  in  his  hands,  and  he  was  de- 
liberately and  solemnly  charged  with  having  ar- 
rested the  stream  of  national  bounty,  and  diverted 
it  to  his  own  personal  use  and  benefit.  His  rigor- 
ous proceedings  to  La  Force  shew  a  bosom  little 
sensible  of  the  sympathies  of  humanity  ;  while 
his  arrogant  and  contumelious  deportment  to 
AY'ashington  prove  him  as  little  attentive  to  the 
feelings  and  duties  of  a  gentleman. 

THE  administration  of  Blair  commenced  with 
some  appearance  of  activity.  The  several  mea- 
sures were  iinnounced  by  proclamation  In  one 
ail  the  officers  of  government  were  continued  and 
the  assembly  prorogued.  By  another  permission 
is  given  at  desire  of  lord  Louden  to  raise  eight 
hundred  men  within  the  colony.  A  third  directs 
the  assembly  to  meet  on  the  3Uth  of  Mirch,  in- 
stead of  the  30th  of  April,  the  day  to  which  a 
former  proclamation  had  prorogued  them. 

THIS  assembly,  the  most  respectable*  by  its 
talents  and  weight  of  character  that  had  ever  de- 


*  A  list  of  representatives  in  assembly    for  the  'C-verat 
Counties  in  Virginia,  1758. 

Accomac,  Edmund  Allen,  Thomas  Pan-amore, 

Mcntark,  Alien  Howard,  WillLm  Cabbtl.  junr, 

Jmetia,  Edmund  Booker,  Richard 

-jiugutita,  John  Wilson,  Israel  Christian, 

Brunsiiick,  Willium  Thornton,  Edward  G 

JSachariah  Burnley,  Samuel  tla 


224 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 

III. 


liberated  in  America,  convened  agreei^e  *o 
tiee,  and  were  as  usual  addressed  by  th 
representative.     In  the  exordium  of  this  achin  ss, 
the  fears  md  passions  of  this  body  are  dexterously 


king's, 


Caroline, 
Charles 


Culjieftcr, 
Cumberland, 


Elizabeth  City, 


Fairfax, 

Frederick, 

Gloucester^ 

Goor/iland, 

Halifax^ 


Edmund  Pendleton,  John  Baylor, 
Benjamin  Harrison,  W  Hiam  Kcnnon,  jur, 
Archibald  Cary,  Richard  Eppes, 

George  Covington,  John  Fleming, 
Leonard  Cjaiborne,  junr.  Robert  Ruffinf 
William  Wager,  John  Tabb, 
John  Upshaw,  Francis  Waring, 
George  Mason,  Gtorge  Johnston, 
Thomas  B.  Martin,  George  Washington^ 
J.i'nn  Pa^e,  Thomas  Whiting, 
R  u  ier  Sk  1'on,  John  Paine, 

Wade,  Nathaniel  Terry, 


Louisa, 

l^imenburg, 

Middlesex, 


JJanever, 
JHenrico, 
James  City, 
Isle  of  H  iff/it, 
Jfing  Georg^ 
A*H?  ond  Queen, 
JChig  irilliam, 


A'c-w  Ktnt, 
Norfolk* 

Northumberland, 
.Yorthamfiton, 
C  range, 

Prince  Edward, 
J'rince  George, 
2'rince  William, 
J  rincess  Ann^ 
Richmond, 
Southampton, 


Nath.  WestDmdridge,  John  Svrne, 
William  Randolph,  Bowler  Cocke, 
]icniamin  Wdlkr,  Le    is  Hurwell, 
James  Bridger,  Joseph   I^iidger, 
Charles  Carter,  Charles  Carter,  junr. 
Joba  R<;btnson^  George  Braxton, 
Peltr  Robinson,  Harry  Games, 
Charles  Carter,  William  Ba  1, 
Francis  Lee,  James  Hamil   -n, 
Thomas  Johnston,  Thomas  Walker^ 
Clement  Read,  Matthew  Marrable, 
Kalph  Wormley,  Thomas  Price, 
Lemuel  Riddick,  Wiili^  R'uldick, 
Richard  Adams,  L  wis  Webb, 
George  Veal,  JohnTatem, 
Presley  Thornton,  Spencer  B^l^ 
Littleton  Eyre,  John  Kendall, 

Peter  Legrand,  Charles  Anderson^ 
Richard.  Bland,  Alexander  Boiling, 
Henry  Peyton,  Henry  Lee, 
Aiitho  y  Walke,  jur.r.  Thomas 
J«;ha  Woo*»bri  lee,  L  :ndon  Oxrter, 
IV.   j  'ii.in  Syniiiions,  Will'um  TayloJ> 


VIRGINIA.  225 

assailed  by  the  mention  of  a  popish  project  for  the  CHAP. 
destruction  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  upon  ni 
the  earth,  and  the  necessity  of  one  great  and  " 
common  effort  among  the  British  provinces,  for 
defeating  the  intentions  of  the  enemy,  at  least  in 
America,  in  attempting  to  accomplish  this  desi- 
rable object,  he  said  defensive  war  must  be  wholly 
abandoned.  He  dwelt  with  particular  emphasis 
on  his  majesty's  permission  to  him  to  issue  com- 
mistons  to  such  gentlemen  of  weight  as  felt  the 
laudable  ambition  of  serving  their  country,  and 
concluded  by  declaring  his  majesty's  ex  press  com- 
mands  to  him  to  pass  but  such  laws  only  as  were 
actually  necessary  t\,r  the  peace  and  deft  nee  of  the 
province.  The  assembly,  in  their  answer,  re- 
gret their  inability  to  engage  in  offensive  opera- 
tions, but  at  the  same  time  declare  their  willing, 
ness  to  do  all  in  their  power  for  tix  successful  ac/* 
complishment  of  an  object  of  such  peculiar  iru 
terest  and  urgency. 

FRANCIS  FAUQJJIER  arrived  on  the  7th  June,  Francis 
and  having  produced  his  commission  of  lieute    Fauquier, 
nant  governor  in  the  council  and  taken  the  usual  S°vt:rnor' 
Oaths  of  office,  he  issued  a  proclamation  in  which 
all  the  officers   of  government   were  continued. 
At  the  same  time  he  dissolved  the  assembly,  and 


Stafford^  Thompson  Ma^on,  Thomas  Lee, 

Surry,  William  Clinch,  Heartwell  Cockc, 

Sussex,  John  Edmunds,  John  Mason, 

Warwick,  W  lliam  Digqjs,  William  Harwood, 

Westmoreland,      Kichurd  Lee,  Richard  Hmry  Let, 
York,  Dudley  DI^SS.  R'-ber.  C. trier  Nicholas* 

Co/If ge  of  William  and  Mary,  George  Wy:    e, 
Jamea  Town,         Edward  Champion  Travis, 
Norfolk  Borough,  William  Aitchison, 
Willicinisburg,       The  Atiomey-generaU 

2  e 


226  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  flJrrcted  that  a  general  election  of  burgesses 
,.  .' ] L  should  take  place.  This  body  having  met  by 
piorogation,  chose  John  Robinson  lor  their  speak- 
er r,  and  having  presented  him  to  the  governor  lor 
his  approbation,  they  petitioned  by  him  thai  they 
might  enjoy  their  ancient  rights  and  privileges. 

HITHERTO  the  vessel  oi  state  had  wandered 
through  a  midnight  and  tempestuous  sea,  occa- 
sionally directed  b}  flashes  which  shed  a  sudden 
and  portentous  gleam.  Ignorance  sat  at  the  helm, 
and  corruption  filled  the  sails  ;  and  nought  but  the 
intrepid  exertions  of  the  crew  had  hithtrt  osaved 
the  wreck  from  the  shoals  and  quick  sands :  when 
all  at  once  a  new  light*  appeared  above  the  British 
horizon  more  glorious  than  the  star  of  the  morning, 
and  the  malignant  influence  of  Bute^  sank  beneath 
its  ascendant.  As  it  reached  its  meridian,  clouds, 
and  night,  and  tempest  passed  away,  to  lower  and 
rest  on  tht house  oi  Bourbon.  1  rom  this  moment 
the  national  character  became  impressed  with 
images  <  i  glory. 

MEANWHILE    the    public   attention    became 

stro»  giy   attracted  to  the  operations  against  Du- 

Sept.  U.     quesrce,  the  conquest  of  which  had  been  decided 

on  as  one  oi  the  most  important  and  necessan  ka- 

tures  in  the  campaign. 

THE  troops,  according  to  the  original  plan  of 
the  campaign  destined  lor  the  reduction  of  this 
fortrtSb,  amounting  to  eight  thousand  men,  were 
appointee!  to  lendezvous  at  Uayscown.  The  ge- 
neral himself,  with  as  many  regular^  troops  as 
could  be  spared  irom  the  service  ot  the  northern 
department,  proceeded  irom  Philadelphia  on  the 
30lh  of  November.  Colonel  Bouquet,  with  a 


*  William  Pitt. 

f  See  Juniu*.  •»  When  that  noxious  planet,"  kc. 


VIRGINIA-  22; 

body  of  two  thousand  men,  had  been  previously  CHAP, 
dispatched  as  an  advance,  and  from  the  outlet, 
the  utmost  caution  was  used  by  choosing  advan- 
tageous posts,  and  establishing  depots  of  provi- 
sions and  other  necessaries  to  guard  against  a  re- 
currence  of  those  disasters  consequent  on  the 
defeat  at  Monongahela. 

PURSUANT  to  the  orders  of  the  commander  in 
chief,  the  Vi  ginia  troops  moved  in  detachments 
from  Winchester  to  tort  Cumberland.  The 
\vhole  frontier  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 
swarmed  with  Indians,  who  emboldened  by  an 
uninterrupted  career  of  successful  cruelty,  hung 
continually  on  the  wings  and  rear  of  the  mil  a 
body  and  the  advanced  guard,  and  continually 
harassed  the  Virginia  troops  almost  within  sight 
of  Fort  Cumberland. 

THEIR  first  object  after  their  arrival  at  Fort 
Cumberland,  was  to  open  a  road  from  that  post 
to  Raystown,  where  colonel  Bouquet  was  station- 
ed. A  question  had  arisen  by  what  road  the  ar- 
my should  march.  That  by  Kaystovvn  and 
Franks  had  been  generally  used  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania and  northern  traders;  the  other  led  from 
Wills  Creek  by  the  Little  and  Great  Meadows, 
and  was  denominated  Braddock's.  Both  these 
roads  had  their  partisans,  and  it  is  not  a  little 
curious  that  Bouquet  should  have  decided  in  fa- 
vour of  Raystowi  as  leading  directly  fro-.u  his 
own  state,  whilst  colonel  Wdshin^toa  vas  equal- 
ly solicitous  that  the  army  should  inarch  by  the 
Virginia  route,  with  which  he  had  been  ucqu  tint- 
ed for  many  years.  It  is  orobablethat  these  gtM- 
tlemen,  notwithstanding  their  zed  for  die  siucess 
of  the  expedition,  judged  more  fro  >i  their  lnf>its 
than  from  any  comparison  of  du--  advantages  of 
these  roads.  There  is  re^soa  co  believe  tuac  i 


228  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  quet  never  saw  the  road  of  Braddock,  and  colo* 
_  nil  Washington  never  that  by  Raystown.  After 
some  consultation  that  by  Raystown  was  prefer- 
rtcl,  to  the  great  chagrin  and  disappointment  of 
c  and  Washington,  who  persisted  to  the  last, 
thi  aigh  ineffectually,  in  pointing  out  what  he  con- 
ceived the  disadvantages,  and  wh.tt  he  appre- 
hrndtd  would  be  the  consequences  of  this  reso- 


His  letters,  detailing  his  arguments  in  support 
of  this  opinion,  discover  a  strong  and  vigorous 
capacity,  together  with  the  faculty  but  rarely  pos- 
se ssed  of  setting  the  strong  parts  of  his  subject 
in  a  striking  point  of  view,  and  insisting  on  them 
vi'h  pc- iiiiar  force.  They  contain  at  the  same 
tinu  innuendos  against  the  folly  and  arrogance  of 
men  in  power,  and  the  blunders  of  th>  ir  agents  in 
t'is  country,  which  will  display  the  proud  feeling 
oi  his  own  worth  and  a  haughty  defiance  of  au- 
ti  ority.  But  notwithstanding  the  ingenious  man- 
i>cr  in  which  he  has  defended  his  opinion,  there 
is  just  reason  to  believe  that  he  was  wrong. 

THE  route  of  the  main  body  of  the  army  lay 
through  the  whole  extent  of  Pennsylvania.  If  the 
rum)  had  assembled  at  Will's  Creek,  Braddock's 
road  had  been  incomparably  superior;  but  as 
yr^uers  stood,  to  march  by  ihis  route  would  have 
added  fifty  miles  to  the  distance.  It  was  asserted 
too  with  some  appearance  of  reason,  that  the 
Hay s^ow n  road  was  less  subject  to  an  inundation 
oi  its'  water  courses,  and  abounded  much  less 
\\iih  difficult  passes  and  defiles.  The  official  let- 
ters ol  Braddock  had  described  the  face  of  the 
country  tin  "U^h  which  he  marched,  "  to  lie  across 
n>oumains  and  rocks  ol  an  excessive  height,  vastly 
SKCJ*  ai;d  divided  by  toi rents  and  rivers."  Such 
til  kitst  is  the  opinion  oi  the  ingenious  historian 


VIRGINIA;  229 

er  North  America.*  Speaking  of  Braddock  he  CH\P. 
s  ys,  the  general  should  have  therefore  certainly 
landed  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  contract  for  sup- 
pi\ing  his  troops  should  have  been  nude  with 
some  ot  the  principal  people  there,  who  could 
easily  have  performed  their  contracts;  and  hid 
ht  encamped  at  Frankstown  or  somewhere  on  the 
south  vve>t  borders  of  that  province,  his  roid  to 
>ort  I  uqutsne  would  have  been  more  practicable 
and  fifty  milt  s  nearer  than  b\  Will's  Creek.  Later 
experience  has  fully  justified  the  correctness  of 
this  opinion. 

THE  different  detachments  of  the  army  having 
assembled  at  U  ivstown,  they    proceeded  slowly 
on  their   march  through  a  country  hitherto  little 
known,  rendered  almost   impassable  by   woods, 
mountains  and  morassts,  and  continually  haras- 
std  by  the  French  and    Indians.     Colonel  Bou- 
quet with  the  same  formidable  guard,  was  atwa}  s 
kept  a  considerable  distance  in  advance,  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  the  workmen  employed  in 
miking  the  road,  and  in  order  to  repress  the  in- 
cursions ot  the    Indians.     By   incredible  labour 
the  advance  at  length  reached  Loyal  Hanning  a 
post,  about   fifty   miles  distant  from    Raystown, 
\vhose  advantageous  site  pointed  it  out  as  proper 
for  a  fort.     From  this   post  major  Grant  was  de- 
tached with  a  chosen  body  of  eight  hundred  men 
to  reconnoitre  the  country  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Fort  Duquesne,  and  make  such   further   ob- 
servations of  the  strength  of  the  enemy  as  would 
facilitate  the  success  ot  the  main  operation:-.  Dar- 
ing the  night  he  reached  a   hill   near  the   foit 
where  his  men  were  posted  ii  order  of  battle,  and  AH 
a  party  of  observation  was  advanced,  who  returned 


•  Wynne. 


230  HISTORY  OF 

after  having  burnt  a  lo^  house  near  the  WaUs* 
The  enduing  morning  Grant  posted  major  Le".  is 
with  a  guard  in  hi*  rear  for  the  protection  of  the 
baggage,  and  at  the  same  time  sent  an  engineer 
with  a  covering  p  irt}  to  take  a  plan  of  the  works 
These  things  passed  within  full  view  of  the  fort,, 
and  as  if  the  enemy  were  not  sufficiently  apprized 
of  his  imprudence  and  temerity,  the  reveillez, 
by  orders  of  the  commander,  was  beaten  by  all 
the  drums  of  the  detachment  in  several  places. 

DURING  the  whole  of  this  rash  and  arrogant 

parade  the  fort  did  not  fiie  a  single  gun.    Silence 

Battle  of     reigned  within  those  wails  that  formerly  resound- 

yul  Han-  C(j  W^tj1  ljie  1Qur  Qf  cannon  ancj  the  terrific  din  of 

the  war  whoop.  Thest  delusive  appearances  hav- 
ing confirmed  the  blind  and  fatal  security  of  Grant, 
on  a  signal  given  the  gates  of  Fort  Duquesne  were 
thrown  open,  arid  multitudes  of  Indians  at  once  set- 
ting up  the  terrific  scream  of  the  war  whoop,  issued 
forth  and  spread  themselves  according  to  custom 
on  the  flanks ;  whilst  a  chosen  body  of  French  re- 
gulars proceeded  in  close  order  to  the  attack  of 
the  advanced  party.  This  being  almost  imme- 
diately dissipated  or  destroyed,  Grant  arrived 
with  the  main  body,  and  a  sanguinary  encounter 
took  place  similar  in  all  respects  to  the  fatal  day  at 
Monongahela  :  the  same  obstinate  adherence  to 
European  tactics  ;  the  same  panic,  and  disorder, 
and  destruction  of  the  troops  ;  the  blind  and  obsti-* 
nate  presumption  of  the  commander  was  the  same, 
differing  only  in  the  ultimate  fate  of  the  comman- 
ders. For  the  gallant  spirit  who  commanded  at 
Monongahela  expiated  his  indiscretion  by  his 
blood ;  whereas  the  vain  and  boasting  Grant 
was  spared  to  obliterate  this  disgrace  at  Loyal 
Banning  by  his  superior  foily  and  imprudence  in 
the  British  .ieruto. 


VIRGINIA.  f31 

AT  the  commencement  of  the  action  major    CHAP. 
Lewis  hastened  \vith  the  principal  part  of  the  ...  ll  '  •    . 
rear  guard  to  the  support  of  Grant,  leaving  be- 
hind him  fifty  Virginians  with  captain    Bulltt, 
for  the  defence  of  the  baggage.    But  their  united 
efforts  were  unavailing  to  stop  the  progress  of  the 
enemy,  who  now  confident  of  success  left  their 
concealment,  and  proceeded  to  finish  with  the 
tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  what  had  been  left 
undone  by  the  ritle.      A  scene  of  brutal  and  fe- 
rocious cruelty  immediately  commenced,  which 
the    utmost  efforts   of  the    French   were  unable 
to  put  a  stop  to.     Irritated  by  the  fate  of  several 
of  their  countrymen  during  the  battle,  the  Indi- 
ans refused  to  give  quarter  and  inhumanly  but* 
chered  the  English  and  provincials  in  the  very  act 
of  surrender.     Majcr   Grant,  the  author  of  all 
these  misfortunes,  had  barely  time  to  save  his 
lite  by  giving  himself  up  to  a  French  officer,  who 
had  the  utmost  difficulty  in  protecting  him.    The 
bloody  tomahawk  was  uplifted  to  strike,  and  the 
angry  glance  of  the  savage  dt mauded  his  victim; 
but  the  Frenchman  insisted  on  his  promise  and 
the  usages  of  civilized  warfare.     The  life  of  the 
gallant  Lewis  was  exposed  to  greater  and  more 
imminent  peril,     tie  had  been  engaged  for  some 
time  with  an  Indian  whose  repeated  blows  he  had 
hitherto  successfully  parried.   At  length  he  was  so 
fortunate  as  to  extricate  himself  by  the  death  of 
his  enemy :  But  his  place  being  immediately  sup- 
plied by  others,  he  retreated  until  he  reachtd  a 
French  detachment  to  whose  oftLer  he  surrender- 
ed himself 

AN  universal  rout  now  took  place,  and  carnage  Defeat  ami 
unresisted  and  marked  by  those  shocking  enor-  ™ut  of  Bri- 

mities  which  characterize  Indian  war.  In  this  ex-  tlsh  ?nc!  . 

.  .  provincials, 

igence  Bullet,    whose  magnanimous  spirit   was 

equalled   only  by   his  ioresight  and  collection. 


232  HISTORY  OF 

took  immediate  measures  for  saving  the  princi- 
pal part  of  the  baggage,  and  if  possible  the  re- 
mains oi  the  dt  tachment.  Having  dispatched  the 
most  valuabk  part  oi  the  baggage  with  the  strong- 
est horses,  he  disposed  the  remainder  at  an  ad- 
vantageous point  cl  the  icao,  as  a  cover  icr  his 
troops  and  rallied  several  of  the  fugitives  as  they 
can  it  up.  nware,  from  the  character  of  the 
enemy  and  their  conduct  during  the  engagement, 
that  no  quarter  was  to  be  expected,  he  embraced 
an  expedient  contrary  to  all  the  established  laws 
oi  arms,  and  which  under  any  other  circum- 
stances would  have  been  wholly  unjustifiable. 
Having  animated  the  courage  of  his  followers  by 
a  brief  but  expressive  appeal  to  their  character  to 
aiid  circumstances,  he  directed  them  to  fire  with 
precision  until  their  enemies  became  too  nume- 
rous, when  on  a  signal  given  they  were  to  march 
out  with  their  .;rms  as  if  demanding  quarter. 

ANIMATED  by  his  example,  the  troops  lite- 
rally followed  the  order  of  their  leader,  and  as 
the  Indians  pressed  on,  a  destructive  fire  unexpect- , 
t-dly   opened  from  behind  the  bag-gage  waggons, 
which  checked  their  career  and  threw  them  into 
visible  confusion  ;  but  their  numb  TS  increasing 
every  moment,  and  apprehensive  that  they  would 
attempt  to  get  in  his  rear,  Bullet  held  out  the  sig- 
nal for  capitulation.    Jn  a  moment  the  detachment 
in  a  suppliant  position  and  with  their  arms  invert- 
ed, proceeded  slowly  towards  the  enemy,  whose 
impatience  would  hardly  peimit  them  to  wait  the 
form  of  a  surrender.     Already  the  tomahawk  was 
graspe  d  for  toe  purpose  of  vengeance,  and  the  scalp- 
ing knife  thirsted  to  slake  its  fury  in  their  blood 
when  the  terrible  woid  c/iarge  was  uttered  by  Bui- 
let,  and  was  repeated  by  the  whole  detachment  j  a 
n  ;ost  dcbtruct  ive  voll<  y  at  only  cii>ht  yards  distance 
the  ready  execution,  ui  this  order,  uuei 


VIRGINIA:  233 

before  the  enemy  could  recover  from  the  asto-  CHAP. 
nishment  and  terror  excited  by  this  procedure, 
a  furious  onset  with  fixed  bayonets  effected  a  com- 
plete discomfiture  and  route.  The  Indians  ima- 
gined from  the  fury  of  this  onset  that  rhe  whole 
army  Mas  at  hand,  and  never  stopt  till  they  reached 
the  French  regulars. 

BULLET  having  gained  the  respite  wanted,  and 
rightly  judging  that  to  attempt  any  thing  offen- 
sively with  his  handful  of  men,  would  be  only  a 
vain  and  desperate  sacrifice,  wisely  continued 
his  retreat  towards  the  main  body,  collecting  as 
he  proceeded  the  wounded  and  terrified  regulars 
•who,  ignorant  of  the  cruntry,  wandered  up  and 
down  without  food,  and  haunted  by  incessant 
terrors  of  the  savages. 

IN  this  fatal  action  twenty  one  officers  and  two 
hundred  and  seventy. three  privates  were  either 
killed  or  taken.  Of  these  the  first  Virginia  regi- 
ment lost  six  officers  and  sixty-two  privates;  no- 
other  corps,  the  Highlanders  excepted,  suffered  in 
the  same  proportion. 

BUT  great  and  serious  as  was  the  loss  of  men 
wantonly  sacrificed  by  the  rashness  of  their  com- 
mander, it  added  another  honourable  wreath  to 
the  brow  of  Virginia  prowess.  The  cool  and 
steady  valour  of  the  provincials  had  a  second 
time  saved  from  certain  destruction  the  regular 
troops.  The  merits  of  captain  Bullet  in  particu- 
lar were  the  theme  of  general  and  merited  eu- 
logy. Governor  Fauquier  who  was  an  excellent 
judge  of  merit,  was  olten  in  the  habit  of  pro- 
nouncing the  retreat  of  Loyal  Manning  equal 
to  any  thing  of  its  kind  in  history  ;  and  'he  ap- 
pointment of  Bullet  to  the  rank  of  irujor  would 
justify  an  opinion  that  his  promotion  was  the  re- 
ward of  his  conspicuous  merit  on  this  occasion. 


2F 


234  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  MEANWHILE  the  main  body  of  the  army  had 
marched  frorn  Loyal  Manning  on  the  13»h,  fol- 
lowed on  the  17th  by  the  general,  who  brought 
up  the  rear  with  the  whole  of  the  artillery.  Along 
the  whole  route  they  were  infested  by  small  par- 
ties of  Indians,  who  were  often  daring  enough 
to  fire  into  the  camp,  and  often  successful  in  tak- 
ing scalps,  and  prisoners  within  the  very  view  of 
the  army, 

THE  duty  of  guarding  against  and  repelling 
these  dangerous  and  destructive  incursions  was 
prudently  committed  to  the  provincials,  a  service 
in  which  the  Virginians,  with  colonel  Washing- 
ton, peculiarly  distinguished  themselves.  In  one 
of  these  skirmishes  at  a  short  distance  from  Loyal 
Manning,  colonel  Washington  having  defeated  a 
party  oi  Indians,  took  some  of  them  prisoners  : 
Colonel  Mercer  of  the  second  Virginia  regiment, 
having  been  detached  to  support  him  came  up 
about  night,  and  having  seen  indistinctly  the  In- 
dian prisoners,  he  concluded  they  were  enemies 
and  fired.  Under  the  influence  of  this  fatal  mistake 
an  engagement  immediately  commenced,  which 
was  terminated  only  by  the  admirable  judgment 
and  intrepid  interference  of  the  officers.  The  mis- 
take wras  detected  by  the  sound  of  the  musqucts: 
It  was  known  that  Washington's  men  fired  a  bul- 
let and  two  buck  shot :  fourteen  men  were  killed 
and  wounded. 

THE  different  bodies  had  again  united  and  pro- 
ceeded with  the  utmost  circumspection  towards 
Fort  Duquesne,  in  sight  of  winch  the  whole  ar- 
fny  arrived  in  good  order  on  the  twenty,  third, 
and  preparations  immediately  commenced  for  be- 
sieging it  in  form. 

THIS  fort,  celebrated  as  having  given  rise  to 
a  most  destructive  war  almost  in  every  region 
of  the  globe,  was  situated  on  a  point  of  laud 


VIRGINIA.  235 

•ibrmed  by  the  junction  of  the  Monongahela  with 
the  Ohio,  and  was  by  its  real  strength  and  inv 
portance  every  way  disproportioned  to  the  exag- 
gerated picture  drawn  by  the  fears  and  terrors 
excited  by  repeated  disasters.  Every  step  taken 
by  the  army  from  Loyal  Manning  contributed  to 
Jkeep  alive  those  impressions.  It  was  strewed 
with  human  bones  in  various  stages  of  decay, 
mingled  with  those  of  horses  and  of  oxen.  As 
they  approached,  the  accumulations  of  whitened 
bones  and  putrid  bodies  alternately  pointed  out 
the  melancholy  defeat  of  Braddock  and  more  re- 
cent disaster  of  Grant.  To  within  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  wails,  the  remains  of  these  disasters 
extended  as  so  many  seeming  proofs  of  the  massy 
strength  of  its  ramparts,  as  terrible  trophies  of 
the  bravery  of  its  garrison. 

A  NEARER  and  more  accurate  observation 
pointed  out  the  fallacy  of  this  opinion.  The  face 
of  the  fort,  whose  form  was  a  polygon,  extended 
only  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet ;  and  the  effect 
of  a  few  shells  demonstrated  its  utter  iiicomne- 
tency  to  resist  a  cannonade,  even  for  a  few  hours. 
A  series  of  unsuccessful  attacks  convinced  the 
enemy  that  they  couW  no  longer  look  for  success 
in  the  mistakes  or  blunders  of  the  British,  and 
fear  for  the  first  time  passed  from  their  camp  into 
die  walls  of  Fort  Duquesne.  The  Indians,  whose 
notions  of  policy  depend  wholly  o:i  the  prospect 
of  success,  wavered  in  their  attachment ;  and  se- 
veral tribes  having  been  previously  gained,  with- 
drew from  the  defence  of  a  post  which  the  Great 
Spirit  was  supposed  to  have  devoted  to  destruc- 
tion. 

DETERMINED  by  these  decisive  warnings,  the 
French  commander  had  for  some  time  been  pre- 
paring for  the  evacuation  of  this  interesting  posi- 


236  HISTORY  OF 

CH\P.     tion,  and  from  their  posts  on   the  Mississippi 
TI1         and  Ohio  had  collected  canoes  and  batteaux  for 
the  transportation  of  every  thing  valuable  which 
could  be  withdrawn.  A  variety  of  skilful  manoeu- 
vres  were  practised  for  the  purpose  of  dividing 
the  attention  of  the  British,  and  a  feint  was  made 
to  call  their  attention  to  the  safety  of  their  rear, 
which  was  menaced  by  small  parties  of  Indians 
who  yet  remained  faiihful.   Every  thing  at  length 
being  ready,  fire  was  communicated  to  various 
combustibles  disposed  for  the  destruction  of  the 
fort,  which  for  the  most  part  was  constructed  of 
wood;  whilst  a  mine  sprung  at  the  moment  of 
departure,  completed  the  demolition  of  the  fort- 
ress.    A  short  time  after  the  explosion,  colonel 
Washington,  with  the  advanced  guard,  entered 
the  fortress  amidst  the  ruins  still  smoking,  and 
planted  the  British  flag :   But  the  enemy  were  be- 
yond the  reach  of  attack,  having  dropt  down  to 
their  settlements  at  Presqu'isle  and  Venango. 

THUS  in  the  third  year  of  the  war,  after  incre- 
dible losses,  dangers  and  humiliation,  this  fort 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  British  without  any 
resistance  ;  and  after  receiving  such  repairs  and 
improvements  as  the  nature  of  circumstances 
would  permit,  was  garrisoned  by  a  party  of  pro- 
vincials, and  called  Pittsburgh  in  honour  of  the 
great  stateman  who  now  presided  over  the  coun- 
cils of  Britain. 

HAVING  accomplished  those  necessary  objects, 
the  army  and  their  general  were  seized  with  the 
tender  and  pious  sentiment  of  discharging  the 
last  sad  duties  to  the  remains  of  their  country- 
men, which  lay  scattered  round  the  fort.  Disfi- 
gured, mutilated  by  wounds  ^inflicted  in  battle, 
or  torn  by  birds  and  beasts  of  prey,  they  pre- 
sented a  spectacle  horrible  to  the  sight, 


VIRGINIA;  237 

iiil  to  the  imagination ;  whilst  the  masses  of  bare  CHAP. 
and  whitened  bones  furnished  a  melancholy  asso 
ciation  of  remote  and  recent  disasters.  Nothing 
could  exceed  the  silent  sublimity  of  feeling 
amongst  the  victors  as  they  walked  through  this 
army  of  the  dead  :  Now  and  then  the  silence  was 
broken  by  the  exclamation  of  some  veteran,  who 
had  been  present  and  had  miraculously  survived 
those  calamities.  The  bones  and  bodies  were 
collected  with  pious  care,  and  buried  in  one  com- 
mon tomb ;  the  whole  army  from  the  general  to 
the  lowest  centinel  assisting  at  the  solemn  cere- 
mony.. 

THIS  scene  suggests  a  parallel  situation  in  Ro- 
man history,  described  by  the  masculine  elo- 
quence of  Tacitus. 

"  NOT  far  hence  lays  tlie  forest  of  Teutobur- 
gium,  and  in  it  the  bones  of  Varus  and  his  le- 
gions, by  report  still  unburied  :  Hence  Germa- 
nicus  became  inspired  with  a  tender  passion  to 
pay  the  last  offices  to  the  legions  and  their  leader : 
the  like  tenderness  likewise  affected  the  whole 
army.  They  were  moved  with  compassion,  some 
for  the  fate  of  their  friends,  others  for  their  rela- 
tions, here  tragically  slain.  They  were  struck 
with  the  doleful  casualties  of  war,  and  the  sad 
lot  of  humanity.  Cce-:ina  was  sent  before  to  ex- 
amine the  gloomy  recesses  of  the  forest,  to  lay 
bridges  over  the  pools,  and  upon  the  deceitful 
marshes  and  causeways.  The  army  entered  the 
doleful  solitude,  hideous  to  sight,  hideous  to 
memory.  First  they  saw  the  camp  of  Varus, 
wide  in  circumference  ;  and  the  three  distinct 
places  allotted  to  the  different  eagles  shewed  the 
number  of  the  legions  :  further  they  beheld  the 
ruinous  intrenchment  and  the  dit  ;h  nigh  chouked 
up ;  in  it  the  remains  of  the  army  were  supposed 


238  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     to  have  made  their  last  effort,  and  in  it  to 

_  found  their  graves.  In  the  open  fields  lay  their 
bones  all  bleached  and  bare,  some  separate,  some 
on  heaps,  just  as  they  hud  happened  to  fall,  flying 
for  their  lives  or  resisting  unto  death.  Here  were 
scattered  the  limbs  of  horess ;  there  pieces  of  bro- 
ken javelins,  and  the  trunks  of  trees  bore  the  skulls 
of  men.  In  the  adjacent  groves,  were  the  savage 
altars  where  the  barbarians  had  made  an  horrible 
immolation  of  the  tribunes  and  principal  centu- 
rians.  Those  who  survived  die  slaughter,  hav- 
ing escaped  from  captivity  and  the  sword,  re- 
lated the  sad  particulars  to  the  rest.  "  Here  the 
commanders  of  the  legions  were  slain  ;  the«e  we 
lost  the  eagles :  Here  Varus  had  his  first  wound  ; 
there  he  gave  himself  another,  and  perished  by  his 
own  unhappy  hand  ;  in  that  place  too  stood  the 
tribunal  whence  Arminius  harangued ;  in  this 
quarter,  for  the  execution  of  his  captives,  he 
erected  so  many  gibbets ;  in  that,  such  a  number 
of  funeral  trenches  were  digged,  and  with  these 
circumstances  of  pride  and  despite  he  insulted 
the  ensigns  and  eagles."  Thus  the  Roman  army 
buried  the  bones  of  three  legions  six  years  after 
the  slaughter. 

"  NOR  could  any  one  distinguish  whether 
he  gathered  the  particular  remains  of  a  stranger 
or  those  of  a  kinsman ;  but  all  considered  the 
whole  as  their  friends,  the  whole  as  their  relations, 
with  heigthened  resentments  against  the  foe,  at 
once  sad  and  revengeful :  in  this  pious  office,  so 
acceptable  to  the  dead,  Gerrnanicus  was  a  part- 
ner in  the  woe  of  the  living,  and  upon  the  com- 
mon tomb  laid  the  first  sod." 

HAVING  paid  this  sacred  debt  to  the  manes  of 
two  armies,  the  general  confirmed  by  new  for- 
malities the  treaty  ratified  with  the  Indians  at 


VIRGINIA. 

Kastoru*  and  having  erected  a  Block  house  at 
Loyal  Harming,  which  he  dignified  with  the  ti- 
tle of  Fort  Ligonier,  he  returned  to  Philadelphia, 
THE   capture  of  tills  interesting  fortress  dif- 


*  This  meeting,  independent  of  the  honourable  William 
D«nny,  esq.  lieutenant-governor;  Lawrence  Gordon,  Wil- 
liam Logan,  Richard  Peters,  Lynn-Ford  Lardner,  Benja- 
min Chew,  John  Mifflin,  esquires,  members  of  the  gover- 
nor'a  council ;  Isaac  Morris,  Joseph  Fox,  Joseph  Galloway, 
John  Hughes,  Daniel  Roberdeau,  Amos  Strickland,  esquires, 
committee  of  the  house  ofr  representatives;  Charles  Re.ui, 
Jacob  Spicer,  esquires,  commissioners  for  Indian  affairs  in 
the  province  of  New  Jersey,  and  a  number  of  magistrates  of 
this  and  the  neighbouring  province,  and  of  the  citizens  of 
the  city  ot  Philadelphia,  chiefly  of  the  people  caller  Qua- 
kers ;  consisted  of  George  Croghan,  esquire,  deputy  agent, 
for  Indian  affairs,  under  sir  William  Johnson. 

Indians  of  several  nations,  viz. 

Mohawks.  Nichas,  or  Karaghudie,  with  one  woman 
and  two  boys,  --  4 

Oneidoes.  Thomas  King,  Anagaraghity,  Avtanyquou* 
with  three  warriors  captains, six  warriors  and  thi'ty- 
three  women  and  children,  -....-.-45 

Ononda^ots  A  saradonguas,  with  nine  men  and  nine 
women  and  ch.idren, 19 

Seyugas.     Tokaai on,  with  ei^ht  men,  and  eleven  wo- 

Camen  and  children,       -..--.--.-       20 
neras.     Taktaghsado,    Taprashata,    or    Se^achafJon, 
chief   man,    with  seven  oiHer    chiefs,    thirty-seven 
other  men,  twenty-eight  women,  and  several   chil- 
ren,  in  ail, 83 

Tuscaroras.  Unata,  alias  Jonathan,  with  five  men, 
twelve  women  and  two  children,  ------  20 

Naut.icokes  and  Conovs.  now  one  nation.  Robert 
White,  alias  \Volahocumv,  Pashaamokas,  alias 
Charles,  with  sixteen  men,  twenty  women  and  eigh- 
teen children,  -..-.---.--  56 
Kandt,  ali<-s  Last  Night,  with  nine  men,  ten  wo- 
men and  one  child, 9* 

Tuteloes.  Cakanonekoanos,  alias  Big,  Arm,  Asswaga- 
rat,  with  six  men  and  three  women  -  -  -  -  U 


240  HISTORY  OF 

CH^AP.  fused  a  general  joy  throughout  America,  but 
more  especially  through  the  provinces  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Virginia  and  Maryland.  It  was  offici- 
ally announced  to  the  assembly,  which  sat  on  the 
22d  ot  February,  and  was  urged  as  a  new  motive 
for  encreasing  rather  than  abating  the  exertions 
of  the  colony.  He  tells  them  that  the  remain- 
der  of  the  regimtnt  agreeably  to  the  best  ad- 
vice and  information  he  had  been  able  to  collect, 
had  been  stationed  in  the  most  proper  and  com- 
modious lorts  and  posts  in  the  several  counties 
of  Hamshlre,  Frederick  and  Augusta,  and  the 
four  companies  of  rargtrs  in  the  counties  of 
Bedford  and  Halifax ;  and  that  in  Order  to  the 
saving  expense  he  had  disbanded  the  militia 


Chugnuts.    Ten  men  and  twenty  women  and  children,     30 

Chehohockes,  alias  Delawares  and  Unamies.  Teedy- 
uscung,  with  sundry  men,  women  and  children,  -  60 

Munsies,  or  Mmisinks.  Egohohowen,  with  sundry 
men,  women  and  children,  --.--..  35 

IMohickons.  Abraham,  or  Mammatuckan,  with  seve- 
ral men,  women  and  children,  -  -  -  *  -  -  56 

Wapings,  or  Pumtons  Nimham,  Aquaywochtu,  viith 
sundry  men,  women  and  children,  in  all,  -  -  -  47 

In  all,     507 

Conrad  Weiser,  esquire,  provincial  interpreter ;  captain 
Henry  Montour,  interpreter  in  the  Six  Nation  and  Dela- 
ware languages;  Stephen  Calvin,  Isaac  Stille,  Moses  Tit- 
tamy,  Delaware  Indians,  interpreters  in  the  Delaware  lan- 
guage. 

**  At  a  private  conference  with  the  Indians,  on  the  15th 
of  October,  1758,  present  governor  Denny,  his  council  and 
the  committee  ot  assembly,  and  governor  Bernard  and  the 
Jersey  commissioners;  chiefs  ol  tr.e  Mohawks,  Senecas 
and  Onoiidugoes  ;  chiefs  of  the  Oneidoes,  Cayugas,  Tusca- 
roras,  Nanticockes  or  Conoys,  and  lutdcts 

"  Nichas,  the  Mohawk  chief,  stood  up,  and  directing; 
his  discourse  to  both  governors,  said, 


VIRGINIA.  241 

IT  will  be  proper  in  this  place  to  take  a  curso-  CHAP, 
ry  view  of  die  military  operations  of  this  year  in 
the  other  colonies,  there  existing  at  this  time 
amongst  them  all,  aft  acknowledged  identity  of  in- 
terest together  with  a  semi  men  t  of  common  at- 
tachment, arising  out  of  their  common  clanger. 


«  Brothers, 

4k  We  thought  proper  to  meet  you   here,  to  have 
private  discourse  about  our  nephew  Teedyu-cung. 

"  You  all  know  that  he  gives  cm1.,  he  is  the  great  man  and 
chief  often  nations;  this  is  his  constant  discourse.  Now 
I  on  behalf  the  Mohawks  say,  we  do  not  know  he  is  such  a 
great  man  If  he  is  such  a  great  man,  we  desire  to  know  who 
has  made  him  so.  Perhaps  you  have,  and  if  this  be  the  case, 
tell  us  so.  It  may  be  the  French  have  made  him  so.  We 
\vaui  to  inquire  and  knew  whence  his  greatness  arose. 

"  Tagashata  on  the  behalf  of  the  Senecas  spoke  next. 
*'  Brethren, 

*'  I,  for  my  nation,  say  the  same  that  Nichas  has  said; 
I  need  not  repeal  it.  I  say  we  do  not  know  who  has  made 
Tcedyuscung  this  great  man  over  ten  nations ;  and  I  want 
to  know  who  made  him  so 

"  Assarandonguas  spoke  next,  on  behalf  of  the  Ononda. 
goes. 

*  Brethren, 

"  I  am  here  to  represent  the  Onondagoes  ;  and  I  say  for 
them,  that  I  never  heard  before  now  that  Teedyuscung  was 
wurh  a  ^reat  man,  and  much  less  can  I  tell  who  made  him 
so.  No  such  thing  was  ever  said  in  our  towns,  as  that  Tee- 
tlyuscung  was  such  a  gre  .t  man. 

"  Thomas  King  sp^ke 

*  Brethren  the  governors,  and  att  present, 

u  Take  notice  that  I  speak  in  behalf  of  five  nations,  who 
have  their  deputies  here  present,  viz.  ?he  Oaeidocs,  Cayu- 
^as,  Tuscaroras,  Nanticokcs  and  Coiioys,  who  have  joined 
together,  and  now  make  one  nation,  a  id  Tuteloes.  W* 
live  are  all  connected  together,  and  if  any  thin^  is  said  to 
one  of  us,  ii  is  com nunicatcd  to  all  the  rest. 

"  On  their  behalf  I  now  tell  you,  we  none  of  us  know 
who  has  made  Teedyuscung  such  a  great  man;  pehap^the 
French  have>  or  perhaps  you  have,  or  some  among  you,  as 

.2G 


242  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  THE  army  in  America,  under  the  command  of 
111  Abcrcrombie,  amounted  to  fifty  thousand  men,  of 
"  whom  twenty. two  thousand  were  regulars  and 
maiines.  Independent  of  the  eight  thousand  men 
under  \  orbes,  destined  for  the  capture  of  Fort 
Duquesne.  This  army  was  disposed  in  the  follow, 
ing  manner  : — Twelve  thousand  under  the  com- 
mand of  general  Amherst,  were  to. make  an  at. 
tempt  on  Louisburg — whilst  sixteen  thousand 
under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  commander 
in  chitf  were  reserved  for  the  reduction  oi  Crown 
Point. 

Theac-  THE  reduction  of  Louisburg,  being  an  object 
o^r'ttons6  °^  immtcu'ate  Consideration,  was  undertaken  with 
inThe  other  a^  posi*ible  dispatch.  On  the  28th  of  May,  gen. 
states  ista-  Amherst  tmbaiked  his  troops  at  Halifax,  in  No- 
ken  from  __^ 

Wynne. 

you  have  different  governments,  and  are  different  people- 
\\  e,  tor  i.w  pails,  tmirti)  c  iscwn  that  he  has  any  awho- 
rit)  over  us,  and  dtsiie  to  know  from  whence  he  derives  his 
authority.  A  belt. 

Then  governor  Bernard  spoke. 

«  Brethren  of  all  the  confederated  nations, 

"As  you  proposed  your  qut  siion,  concerning  Teedyuscung 
separately,  I  ihink  it  pioper  to  g,ve  you  a  separate  answer 
theie'o. 

"  I  know  not  who  made  Teedyuscung  so  great  a  man  ; 
nor  do  I  know  that  he  is  any  greater  than  a  chief  of  the  De- 
lavare  Ir.diens,  settltd  at  \Vyomink.  The  title  of  king 
couki  not  be  givtn  hm,  by  any  English  governor;  for  we 
know  very  wtil,  that  theit  is  i>o  sucli  person  among  Indi- 
ans, as  what  we  call  a  king.  And  if  we  call  him  so,  \vc 
nitan  no  more  than  a  Sachem  or  chief.  I  observe,  in  his 
treaties,  which  he  has  held  with  the  governors  of  Pennsyl- 
vania (which  1  have  perused  since  our  laat  meeting)  he  says 
he  was  a  v\on»an  till  you  made  him  a  man,  by  putting  a 
Ton.ahavk  in  his  har.ci ;  and  through  all  of  those  treaties, 
especially  in  tie  last,  held  at  this  to\vn,he  callsyou  hisun- 
cies,  ana  professes  that  he  is  dependent  on  you  ;  and  I  know 
nn  that  any  :hin^  has  tince  lu-ppcned  to  alter  his  relation 
to  you."  'I  ihereiore -Consider  him  to  be  still  your  nephew. 


VIRGINIA- 

va-Scotia,  and  sailed  for  Louisburg,  with  the  CHAP. 
English  squadron,  consisting  of  twenty-one  line 
of  battle  ships,  and  twenty  irigates,  commanded 
by  admiral  Boscawen,  that  had  arrived  from  Eng- 
land some  time  before;  the  whole  fleet,  including 
transports,  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  sail. 
On  the  second  of  June,  the  fleet  came  safely  to  an 
anchor  in  Gabarus  Bay,  about  seven  miles  to  the 
westward  of  Louisburg.  The  garrison  of  this 
place  was  composed  of  two  thousand  five  hundred 
regular  troops,  and  three  hundred  militia,  form- 
ed of  the  burghers,  under  the  command  of  the 
Chevalier  Drucour  ;  and,  soon  after  the  landing 
of  the  English  forces,  the  enemy  was  reinforced 
by  three  hundred  and  fifty  Canadians,  including 
sixty  Indians.  The  mouth  of  the  harbour  was 
guarded  by  six  ships  of  the  line  and  five  frigates, 
three  of  which  were  sunk  across  the  harbour's 
mouth,  in  order  to  render  the  passage  impassable 
to  the  English  fleet.  The  governor  had  taken 
every  precaution  in  his  power  to  prevent  a  land- 
ing :  he  had  drawn  entrenchments  in  every  part 
where  he  supposed  it  possible  to  land,  supported 
them  with  batteries  in  convenient  places,  and  lin* 
ed  them  with  a  numerous  infantry.  But  though 
this  chain  of  posts  extended  two  leagues  and  an 
half  along  the  most  accessible  parts  of  the  beach, 
some  spots  still  remained  unfortified ;  and  on  one 
of  these  the  English  forces  were  disembarked. 

UPON  the  fir^t  appearance  of  the  EnglrJi  fleet, 
the  French  gov<  rnor,  Drucour,  sent  out  several 
detatchments  to  observe  their  motions  ;  but  gen. 
Amherst,  by  sending  several  sloops  under  a 
strong  convoy,  towards  Lonmbec,  beyond  the 
mouth  of  the  harbour,  drew  the  enem}  's  attenti- 
on to  that  part  of  the  island,  while  a  landing  was 
actually  effected  on  the  other  side  of  the  town,  on 
the  eighth  of  June,  under  the  command  of  bri- 


HISTORY  OF 

gadier- general  Wolfe  ;  several  sloops  and  fngate% 
having  previousl}7  scoured  the  beach  v»  ith  their 
shot.  The  disembarkation,  however,  was  attend- 
ed with  many  difficulties,  from  a  viclentsurf  which 
rolled  impetuously  on  the  beach,  and  a  severe  fire 
of  cannon  and  musquetry  from  the  enemy,  who 
reserved  their  shot  till  the  boats  were  alrr-rst  close 
to  the  shore.  Wolfe,  however,  pursued  his  point, 
\vith  admirable  courage  and  deliberation  ;  cr-d  the 
soldiers,  though  the  fiie  of  the  enemy  did  great 
execution,  and  many  boats  were  overset  and  broke 
to  pieces,  supported  and  encouraged  in  all  difficul- 
ties, by  the  example,  spirit,  and  conduct,  of  thtir 
truly  gallant  commander,  leaped  into  the  water, 
gained  the  shore,  (the  general  himself  being  among 
the  first  who  landed),  and  fell  upon  the  enemy 
•with  such  order  and  resolution,  that  they  soon 
obliged  them  to  fly  in  confusion.  But  the  diffi- 
culty of  landing  artillery  and  stores  in  boister- 
ous weather,  added  to  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
\vhich,  being  marshy,  was  unfit  for  the  convey, 
ance  of  heavy  cannon,  retarded  the  operations  of 
the  siege,  which  weie  carried  en  with  great  cir- 
cumspection by  general  Amherst. 

THE  first  thing  done  was  to  secure  a  point  called 
the  Lighthouse- Battery,  from  whence  they  rr-ight 
play  upon  the  French  ships  in  the  harbour,  which 
were  capable  ot  bringing  all  their  guns  to  bear  up- 
on the  approaches  of  the  besiegers,  and  on  the 
batteries  on  the  other  side  of  the  harbour.  Gen. 
Wolfe  performed  this  service  with  his  usual  con- 
duct,  activity,  and  bravery  ;  and  took  possession 
of  this  and  all  the  other  posts  in  that  quarter. — 
His  fire  from  this  post,  on  the  twenty  fifth,  silenc- 
ed the  island  battery,  which  was  that  most  imme- 
diately opposed  to  his.  In  the  interim,  the  be- 
siegeel  made  several  sallies,  but  with  very  little  ef- 
fect :  but  the  ships  in  the  harbour  still  continued 


VIRGINIA.  245 

to  bear  upon  him,  until  the  twenty- first  of  the     CHAP. 
following  month,  when  one  of  them  blew  up,  and  _ 
communicating   the  fire  to  two  others,   they  al 
so  were,    in  a  short  time,  consumed  to  the  water 
edge.     The  regular  approaches  conducted  by  the 
engineers,  under  the   immediate   command  and 
inspection  of  general  Amherst,  were  now  carried 
on  with  vigour,  and  drew  near  the  covered  way, 
and  things  were  in  a  good  condition  to  make  a 
lodgment  on  it ;  the  enemy's  fire  was  considera- 
bly slackened  ;  the  town  was   consumed  to  the 
ground,  in  many  places  ;  and  the  works  had  suf- 
fered much,  in  every  part.     Yet  the  enemy  still 
delrying  to  surrender,  the  admiral,  who  had,  dur- 
ing the  whole  siege,  co-operated  with  the  general 
with  remarkable  harmony,  cheerfully  assisting  him 
with  cannon  and  other  implements,  with  detach- 
ments of  marines  to  maintain  posts  on  shore,  with 
parties  of  seamen  to  act  as  pioneers,  and  assist  in 
working  the  guns  and  mortars  ;   notwithstanding 
the  severity  of  the  weather,  resolved  on  a  stroke, 
which,  b)  being  decisive  of  the  possession  of  the 
harbour,  migtit  make  the  reduction  of  the  town 
a  matter  of  little  difficulty.     He  accordingly  sent 
six  hundred  seamen  in  boats,  to  take-  or  burn  the 
twro  ships  of  the  line   which   re  my  me  d;  and,  if 
successful  in  this  attempt,    he  proposed  the  next 
diV  to  send  in  some  of  his  great  ships,  to  batter 
the  town  on  the  side  of  the  hui  bour.  This  scheme 
was  successfully  execute  el  by  captains  Laforey  and 
Balfour,  who  entering  the  harbour,  in  the  night 
between  the  twenty-fifth  and  twenty  sixth  days  of 
the  month,  in  spite  of  the  fire  iiom  the  Irench 
ships  and  batteries,  boarded  them,  sword  in  hard, 
and  made  themselves  masters  cf  both  the  ships ; 
one  of  which  was  set  on  lire  and  destroyed,  being 
aground,  but  the  other  v.as  towed  out  of  the  har- 
bour in  triumph. 


246  HISTORY  OF 

THIS  stroke,  in  support  of  the  spirited  endea- 
vours of  the  land  forces,  was  conclusive  ;  the 
French  governor,  finding  it  impossible  to  stand  an 
assault,  and  divers  practicable  breaches  being  ef- 
fecttd,  capitulated  on  the  next  day,  by  which  he 
and  his  garrison  became  prisoners  of  war.  Thus, 
at  the  expence  of  about  four  hundred  men  killed 
or  wounded,  the  important  island  of  Cape  Breton, 
and  strong  town  of  Louisburg,  \vere  taken  ;  in 
which  the  victors  found  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  pieces  of  cannon,  and  eighteen  mortars,  with 
a  very  large  quantity  of  stores  and  ammunition. 
The  inhabitants  were  sent  to  France  in  English 
ships  ;  but  the  garrison,  sea  officers,  sailors,  and 
marines,  amounting,  in  the  whole,  to  five  thousand 
six  hundred  and  thirty  seven,  were  carried  prison- 
crs  to  England. 

As  this  island,  and  the  town  of  Louisburg, 
\vere  of  the  greatest  importance  to  France,  and 
the  centre  of  their  valuable  fishery,  a  constant  re* 
pository  for  their  privateers,  who  from  thence  in 
great  numbers  infested  the  colonies,  and  the  key 
to  their  settlements  on  the  continent  of  North- 
America  ;  a  description  of  both,  while  they  re- 
mained in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  will  not,  we 
hope,  prove  disagreeable  to  the  reader,  especially 
as  the  island  is  now  ceded  to  England,  the  fortifi- 
cations demolished,  and  the  strong  forts  and  bat- 
teries rendered  a  confused  heap  of  ruins. 

THE  town  of  Louisburg,  in  the  island  of  Cape 
Breton,  was  situated  in  the  latitude  of  45  deg.  50 
min.  north,  and  58  deg.  J5  min.  west,  of  the  me- 
ridian of  London.  It  was  of  a  middling  size; 
the  houses  of  wood,  on  stone  found,  itions,  which 
were  carried  about  six  feet  above  the  ground. — 
The  town  was  walled,  and  extremely  well  fortifit d 
in  the  modern  manner  :  there  was,  indeed,  one 
part  without  any  wall,  fora about  an  hundred  yards ; 


VIRGINIA.  £4 

but  it  would  have  been  here  ^quite  unnecessary,  CHAP. 
the  sea  flowing  close  to  the  town,  and  therefore  IIJ< 
apallisadoe  was  judged  a  sufficient  defence,  hven 
small  baiks  could  not  approach  it,  for  want  of  a  suf- 
ficient de pth  of  water  ;  and  ships  were  obliged 
to  keep  ata  very  considerable  distance,  on  account 
of  rocks  and  shoals.  Besides,  there  were  two 
collateral  bastions,  which  flauked  this  part  very 
advantageously.  In  the  centre  of  one  of  the  chief 
bastions  was  a  strong  building,  with  a  moat  on 
the  side  towards  the  town,  which  was  called  the 
citadel,  though  it  had  neither  artillery  nor  a  struc- 
ture proper  to  receive  any :  the  entrance  to  it,  indeed , 
was  over  a  draw- bridge ;  on  one  side  of  which 
was  a  corps  de  garde,  and  advanced  centinels  on 
the  other.  Within  tnis  building  were  the  apart- 
ments for  the  governor,  the  barracks  for  the  gar- 
rison, and  the  arsenal ;  and  under  the  platform  of 
the  redoubt,  a  magazine,  always  well  furnished 
with  military  stores.  The  parish  church  also 
stood  within  the  citadel ;  and  without  it  was  ano- 
ther, belonging  to  the  hospital  of  St.  Jean  de  Dieuv 
an  elegant,  spacious  structure,  though  founded 
long  since, 

THE  harbour  is  large  and  safe,  but  the  entrance 
very  narrow  ;  being  confined  between  an  island, 
on  which  was  a  strong  fort,  and  the  opposite  side, 
where  was  a  very  high  tower,  made  use  of  as  a 
light  house.  Here  was  a  large  fortification,  called 
the  Royal  Battery,  whl;h  defended  the  mouth  of 
the  harbour ;  and  beyond  it  another  fort,  built  far- 
ther within  the  harbour.  From  this  fort  the  coast 
winds  inward,  and  forms  a  large  bay,  with  a  good 
depth  of  water,  defended  from  all  winds ;  and  here 
the  large  vessels  were  laid  up  in  winter ;  but  in  sum-' 
mer  they  anchored  before  the  town,  at  about  a 
quarter  of  a  league  distance;  though  smaller  ships 
might  come  within,  a  cable's  length  of  the  shore, 


248  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  and  lie  quiet  from  all  winds  except  the  east,  which 
blow  s  right  into  the  harbour's  mouth. 

THE  entrance  of  the  harbour  is  very  safe,  there 
being  only  one  rock,  which  is  underwater ;  but 
the  sands  near  it  are  dry.  In  winter,  however, 
the  hai  bour  is  entirely  frozen  over :  that  season 
begins  here  towards  the  end  of  November,  and 
lasts  till  May  or  June.  Sometimes  the  frosts  set; 
in  sconer,  and  are  more  intense  ;  it  not  being  un- 
common for  the  harbour  to  be  wholly  frozen  over 
in  October. 

THE  island  produces  a  great  quantity  of  timber  - 
paiticularly  oaks  of  a  prodigious  size,  pines  fit 
ior  masts,  cedar,  ash,  plane-trees,  andaspins.  and 
contains  excellent  coal-mines.  The  great  length, 
and  intense  cold,  of  the  winters,  being  a  great  im- 
pediment to  agriculture,  the  inhabitants  made 
fishing  their  sole  Occupation  j  and  their  example 
\vas  followed  by  the  inhabitants  of  St.  John's,  a 
small  adjacent  island  in  the  gulphof  St.  Laurence, 
which  submitted  immediately,  upon  the  reducti- 
on of  Louisburg. 

IN  the  mean  time,  the  military  operations  on 
the  continent  were  carried  on  with  equal  vigour. 
The  forces  under  the  immediate  conduct  of  gen  > 
Abercrombie,  consisting  of  near  seven  thousand 
regular  troops  and  ten  thousand  Provincials,  em- 
barked, in  the  beginning  of  July,  on  the  Lake 
George,  in  the  neighbourhood  ot  Lake  Champiain, 
on  board  of  nine  hundred  batteaus,  and  one  him. 
dred  and  thirty. five  whale  boats,  with  provisions, 
artillery,  and  ammunition  j  several  pieces  of  artil.ery 
bt  ing  mounted  on  n.i'isio  cover  the  intended  land- 
ing, which  was  tfftcu  d  wiihout  opposition.  The 
general  then  formed  his  troops  into  three  columns, 
and  marched  against  Ticondero^a,  a  fort,  situated 
on  ;\  point  of  land  between  Lake  George  and  a. 
narrow  jut  communicating  with  Luke.  Champlain,- 


VIRGINIA.  $49 

secured  by  a  morass  in  front,  and  on  the  other     CHAP. 

three  sides  surrounded  with  water.  ?_!!:_ 

THE  enemy's  advanced  guard  fled  on  his  ap- 
proach, with  a  great  precipitation,  deserting  a 
logged  camp,  after  having  burnt  their  tents,  &c» 
The  country  tor  as  all  a  thick  wood,  thro'  which  the 
English  forces  continued  their  march,  but  found 
it  impassable,  with  any  regularity,  for  such  a  bo- 
dy of  men  ;  and  the  guides  proving  extremely 
unskilful,  the  troops  were  bewildered,  and  the 
columns  broken,  felling  in  one  upon  another. — - 
Lord  Howe,  at  the  head  of  the  right  centre  *  co- 
lumn, fell  in  with  a  party  of  French  regulars,  of 
about  four  hundred  men,  who  had  lost  their  way 
in  their  retreat  from  their  advanced  post :  a  skin* 
mish  ensued,  in  which  the  enemy  weie  routed, 
with  considerable  loss  ;  one  hundred  and  forty  - 
•  eight  being  taken  prisoners ,  including  five  officers* 
This  trifling  advantage  was  dearly  bought  with 
the  loss  of  lord  Howe,  who  fell  in  the  beginning 
of  the  action,  unspeakably  regretted  ;  having  dis- 
tinguished himself,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  by  his 
courage,  activity,  and  rigid  observation  of  mili- 
tary discipline,  and  acquired  the  esteem  and  love 
of  the  soldiers  by  hib  generosity,  sweetness  of 
manners,  and  engaging  address.  The  troops 
weie  now  so  greatly  latigued  and  disordered,  from 
want  of  rest  and  refreshment,  that  general  Aber- 
crombie  thought  it  adviseable  to  march  back  to 
the  landing  place.  As  soon  as  the  men  were  re- 
covered  from  their  fatigue,  lieutenant-colonel  Brad* 
street  was  detached  with  a  regiment  of  regulars, 
six  companies  of  Royal  Americans,  and  a  body 
of  Rangers,  to  take  possession  of  a  saw- mill  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Ticondcroga,  which 
•feecn  deserted  by  the  enemy. 


250  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  ABERCROMBIE  having  secured  this  post,  ad- 
_  vanced  to  Ticonderoga,  where  the  enemy  had 
made  a  very  strong  line,  upwards  of  eight  feet 
high,  on  that  part  of  the  front  where  the  morass 
failed,  defended  by  cannon,  and  near  six  thousand 
men,  including  Canadians  and  Indians.  A  great 
number  ot  felled  trees,  with  their  branches  out- 
M'ard,  were  spread  before  the  entrenchment,  which 
projected  in  such  a  manner  as  to  lender  it  almost 
inaccessible. 

NEVERTHELESS,  the  engineer  who  was  sent 
to  reconnoitre  the  place,  made  so  favourable  a  re- 
port of  the  entrenchment,  that  it  appeared  practi- 
cable to  force  it  by  musquetry  alone  ;  and,  in  con- 
sequence thereof,  the  fatal  resolution  was  taken 
not  to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  artillery,  which 
could  not  be  easily  brought  up,  on  account 
of  the  badness  of  the  ground  ;  but  to  attack  the 
enemy,  without  loss  of  time.  The  general  was 
confirmed  in  this  precipitate  resolution,  by  the 
account  he  received  from  his  prisoners,  that  a  bo- 
dy of  three  thousand  men,  under  Mons.  de  Levy, 
were  on  their  march  to  join  the  enemy,  and  were 
very  shortly  expected  to  arrive.  This  officer  had 
been  eletached  to  make  an  irruption  through  the 
pass  of  Oneyada,  on  the  Mohawks  River,  but 
had  been  recalled,  before  he  could  execute  this 
design,  upon  intelligence  of  general  Abercrom- 
bit's  approach  to  Ticonderoga*. 

WHEN  the  attack  began,  the  strength  of  the 
enemies'  lines,  which  had  been  so  little  foreseen, 
was  but  too  severely  felt.  Though  the  troops 
behaved  with  the  utmost  spirit  and  gallantry,  they 


*  Brigadier  Stanwix  was  afterwards  sent  thi'her,  with  a 
considerable  body  of  Provincials ;  and  this  important  pass 
secured  by  a  fort  built  at  that  juncture. 


VIRGINIA.  2 

suffered  so  terribly  in  their  approaches,  and  made  CHAP 
so  little  impression  on  the  intrenchment,  that  the 
general  seeing  their  repeated  and  obstinate  efforts 
fail  of  success,  (being  upwards  of  four  hours  ex- 
posed to  a  most  terrible  fire  from  the  enemy,  who 
were  so  well  covered,  that  they  could  with  the 
greatest  deliberation  direct  their  fire  without  the 
least  danger  to  themselves),  thought  it  necessary 
to  order  a  retreat.  The  army  retired  unmolested 
to  their  former  camp,  to  the  southward  of  Lake 
George,  the  evening  after  the  action,  with  the  loss 
of  about  eighteen  hundred  men,  killed  or  wound- 
ed, including  a  great  number  of  officers.  Every 
corps  behaved  on  this  unfortunate  occasion,  with 
the  greatest  intrepidity  ;  but  the  greatest  loss  was 
sustained  by  lord  John  Murray's  highland  regi- 
ment, of  which  above  half  of  the  private  men,  and 
twenty-five  officers  were  either  killed  or  despe- 
rately wounded. 

To  repair  this  misfortune,  general  Abercrom- 
bie  detached  colonel  Bradstreet  with  three  thou- 
sand Provincials,  against  Fort  Frontenac,  situated 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river  St.  Laurence,  where 
it  takes  it  rise  from  the  Lake  Ontario.  The  co- 
lonel had  some  time  since  formed  a  plan  for  mak- 
ing himself  master  of  this  place  ;  he  according- 
ly, after  having  surmounted  great  difficulties,  pe- 
netrated with  his  army,  to  the  eastern  bank  of  the 
Lake  Ontario,  where  embarking  on  board  several 
sloops  and  batteaus,  provided  for  that  purpose,  he 
landed  within  a  mile  of  Fort  *  rontenac,  the  gar- 
rison of  which,  consiting  of  one  hundred  and  ten 
men  and  a  few  Indians,  surrendered  at  discretion 
in  less  than  two  days  after  it  had  been  attacked, 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  man  on  our  side. — 
The  fort  itself  was  inconsiderable  and  badly  con- 
structed, being  only  a  square  of  one  hundred 
yards ;  and  thci-gh  it  contained  sixty  cannon,  on- 


252  HISTORY  OF 

ly  half  of  them  were  mounted,  and  sixteen  small 
moitars.  Nine  armed  sloops  were  taken  and 
burnt,  and  an  immense  quantity  of  provisions 
and  merchandize,  designed  for  their  troops  on  the. 
Ohio,  and  their  garrisons  to  the  southward  and 
westward.  The  fort  poorly  fortified  and  weakly 
gairioiied  for  a  post  of  such  importance,  being 
the  magazine  for  all  their  western  and  southern, 
garrisons  and  Indian  allies,  was  demolished^ 
agreeable  to  general  Abercrombit's  instructions. 
Colonel  Bradstreet  having  performed  this  impor- 
tant service,  returned  safely  to  Oswego.  This 
was  a  severe  blow  to  the  cm  my,  whose  troops  to 
the  southward  were  now  in  danger  of  starving  ; 
but  it  is  not  easy  to  conceive  the  general's  reason 
for  giving  orders  to  abandon  a  post  so  strong  by 
nature,  that  ii  it  had  been  properly  iortifkd  and 
garrisoned,  and  the  vessels  preserved  and  kept 
cruising  on  the  lake,  it  might  have  rendered  the 
English  masters  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  have  ter- 
ribly harrasscd  the  cr.tmj ,  both  in  their  com- 
merce and  expeditions  to  the  westward. 

THE  ensuing  campaign  was  fraught  with  events 
and  consequences  still  more  important  ;  as  the 
capture  of  Ticonderoga,  had  considerably  facilitat- 
ed the  operations  against  Fort  Duquesne  ;  so  the 
possession  of  this  fortress  added  to  the  reduction 
oi  Louisburg,  and  prepared  the  way  for  the  final 
success  of  the  Biitish  and  American  arms. 

A  CCOBIHNG  to  the  plan  of  operations  now  de- 
cided on,  the  different  expeditions  were  planned 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  assist  each  other.  Gen^ 
\Voife,  who  had  so  eminently  distinguished  him- 
self at  the  siege  of  Loui^burg,  was  to  proceed 
up  the  river  St.  Laurence  as  soon  as  the  naviga- 
tion should  be  irct  from  ice,  v.iiha  body  of  eight 
thousand  men,  and  a  strong  squadron  of  ships 
Irom  England,  to  besiege  Quebec,  riiv  capital  of 


VIRGINIA;  253 

Canada.     General  Arnherst,   the  corntmnder  tn     CHAP- 
chief,  at  the  head  ot  twelve  thousand  troops,  was  - 

to  reduce  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  then 
cross  Lake  Champlain,  and  proceeding  along  the 
banks  of  the  river  Richlieu,  to  the  river  St.  Lau- 
rence, join  general  Wolfe  before  Quebec.  Bri- 
gadier-general Prideaux  with  a  third  body  of 
troops,  assisted  by  a  considerable  number  of  In- 
dians,  assembled  by  the  influence  aid  urder  the 
command  of  sir  Wiiliam  Johnson,  had  orders  to 
attack  the  French  fort  near  the  falls  of  Niagara, 
which  commanded  in  a  manner  all  the  interior 
p:\rts  of  Ncrth  America,  aid  was  a  key  to  the 
\\  hole  continent.  /\s  soon  as  !his  fort  was  carried, 
the  general  was  to  embark  on  the  L  ike  Ontario, 
fall  down  the  river  to  St.  Laurence,  make  him- 
self  master  of  Montreal,  and  then  join  general 
Amherst.  General  Stanwix  commanded  a  smal- 
ler detachment  for  reducing  the  forts  on  ihe  Ohio, 
and  scouring  the  banks  of  the  Lake  Ontario.  It 
was  imagined  hat  if  general  Prideaux 's  scheme, 
in  addition  to  its  own  end,  should  not  facilitate 
either  of  the  other  two  capital  undertakings,  it 
would  probably,  as  Niagara  was  the  most  impor- 
tant place  the  French  had  in  that  part  of  the  world, 
make  them  draw  together  all  the  troops  they  hid 
upon  the  lakes,  to  attempt  its  relief,  which  would 
leave  the  forts  on  those  lakes  exposed.  In  reality 
it  had  that  effect. 

GENERAL  AMHERST  proceeded  i mmediately 
to  execute  his  part  of  the  operations,  arcl  by  a 
course  of  bold  arid  skilful  mai.ceuvres,  succeed- 
ed in  gainii.g  passession  of  the  important  posts  of 
Tieoiidtroga  and  Crown  Point,  which  the  enemy, 
after  a  shew  of  resistance,  hastily  abandoned  at 
his  approach.  having  secured  a  superiority 
on  the  lakes,  heemplo\td  himstlt 'in -strengihrn- 
the  ibrtificatiuri  at  Cro'.vu  Puiiu,  in  opening 


254  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     roads  of  communication  between  Ticonderoga, 
n*       and  the  provinces  of  New- Hampshire  and  Mas- 
sachusetts  bay,  and  in    making  dispositions  for 
wintering  his  troops,  so  as  to  afford  an  adequate 
protection  to  the  back  colonies. 

DURING  these  operations,  which  had  employ- 
ed the  greatest  part  of  the  summer,  the  fate  of  the 
young  hero,  who  had  inarched  against  Quebec, 
was  wholly  unknown,  and  the  public  anxiety  was 
in  the  utmost  suspense  for  the  fate  of  an  expe- 
dition carried  on  at  such  a  distance,  in  the  centre 
of  the  French  power,  and  where  either  victory  or 
defeat,  must  in  their  const quences  have  been  de- 
cisive. 

His  communication  remained  open  with  gen. 
Prideaux,  and  by  him  he  was  informed  of  the 
defeat  of  the  French  army  by  general  Johnson 
in  sight  of  Niagara,  and  the  consequent  surrender 
of  that  important  fortress.  But  notwithstanding 
this  success,  his  progress  was  opposed  by  nu- 
murous  and  formidable  difficulties  ;  and  it  re- 
quired all  his  gallant  and  adventurous  courage, 
together  with  his  skill  and  address,  to  sustain  the 
part  allotted  him,  in  a  plan  so  vast  that  the  dis- 
tinct parts  could  scarcely  co-operate  effectually 
with  each  other, 

THE  fleet  destined  for  this  expedition,  sailed 
from  England  in  the  middle  of  February,  under 
the  command  of  the  admirals  Saundersand  Holmes, 
who  had  both  given  evident  proofs  of  their  con- 
duct and  courage  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
By  the  21st  of  April  they  were  in  sight  of  the 
island  of  Cape  Breton  ;  but  the  harbour  of  Lou- 
isburg  was  blockaded  up  with  ice  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  they  were  obliged  to  bear  away  for  Ha- 
lifax in  Nova  Scotia.  From  hence  rear  admiral 
Durell  was  sent  with  a  small  squadron  up  the  ri- 
ver St.  Laurence,  as  f«tr  as  the  Isle  de  Coudres, 


VIRGINIA;  255 

in  order  to  intercept  any  supplies  that  might  be 
sent  from  France  to  Quebec.  He  took  three  small 
ships,  besides  some  small  craft,  laden  with  flaur 
and  other  provisions;  but  had  the  mortification 
to  find,  that  the  frigates.,  and  the  transports,  load- 
ed with  provisions,  had  already  reached  that  city ; 
and  having  taken  possession  of  the  island  de  Cau* 
dres,  proceeded  to  the  Isle  of  Orleans.  Meajv- 
\\  hile,  admiral  Saunders  arrived  at  Louisburg  ; 
and  the  troops  being  embarked,  which  did  not 
exceed  seven  thousand  men,  regulars  and  provin- 
cials, though  the  original  plan  intended,  nine 
thousand  for  this  expedition,  exclusive  of  those 
under  general  Amherst,  (whose  assistance  on  the 
occasion  was  taken  for  granted)  proceeded  up  the 
river  St.  Laurence  without  further  delay.  The 
land-forces  were  commanded  by  major-general 
Wolfe,  whose  military  abilities  had  shone  with 
su  :h  superior  lustre  at  the  siege  of  Louisburg  ; 
and  under  him  were  the  brigadiers  Monckton, 
Townshend,  and  Murray. 

THE  whole  embarkation  arrived  in  the  latter 
end  of  June  at  the  Isle  of  Orleans,  about  two 
leagues  below  Quebec,  a  large  fertile  island,  about 
twenty  miles  in  length,  and  between  seven  and 
eight  in  breadth,  well  cultivated,  producing  plen- 
ty of  grain,  and  populous,  without  any  accident 
whatever,  notwithstanding  the  reports  of  the  dan- 
gerous navigation  of  the  river  St.  Laurence,  pro- 
bably spread  for  political  purposes.  This  island 
extends  almost  quite  up  to  the  bason  of  Quebec, 
its  most  westerly  point  advancing  towards  an  high 
point  of  land  on  the  continent,  called  Point  Levi. 
These  two  points  shut  up  the  view  of  the  north* 
ern  and  southern  channels,  which  environ  the  Isle 
of  Orleans;  so  that  the  harbour  of  Quebec  ap- 
pears to  be  a  bason  land  locked  upon  all  sides. 
The  possession  of  both  these  points  was  there* 


256  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  fore  absolutely  necessary,  as  they  might  be  em- 
ployed either  with  gnat  advantage  against  the 
tew  n,  or  much  to  the  annojance  of  the  besiegers  ; 
for  whilst  the  enemy  continued  masters  of  those, 
it  was  impossible  for  a  ship  to  lie  with  safety  in 
the  harbour  oi  Quebec.  General  Wolfe  no  soon- 
er landed  on  this  island  than  he  distributed  a 
manifesto  amoi  g  the  inhabitants  imparting,  that 
the  kii.g  his  master,  justly  exasperated  against 
France,  had  set  on  foot  a  considerable  armament 
by  land  and  sea,  to  humble  the  pride  of  that 
crown,  and  was  determined  to  reduce  the  most 
considerable  French  settlements  in  America.  He 
declared,  ii  was  not  against  the  industrious  pea- 
sants and  their  families,  nor  against  the  ministers 
of  religion,  that  he  designed  to  make  war  :  on  the 
contrary,  he  lamented  the  misfortunes  to  which 
they  must  be  exposed  by  the  quarrel,  offered  them 
his  protection,  and  promised  to  maintain  them 
in  their  temporal  possessions,  as  well  as  in  the  free 
exercise  of  their  religion,  provided  they  would 
remain  quiet,  and  take  no  part  in  the  difference 
between  the  two  crowns,  directly  or  indirectly; 
He  observed,  that  the  English  being  now  mas- 
ters of  the  river  St.  Laurence,  all  succours  from 
Europe  must  be  intercepted  ;  and  that  they  had 
besides,  a  powerful  army  on  the  continent,  under 
the  command  of  general  Amherst.  He  affirmed, 
that  the  resolution  the  Canadians  ought  to  take 
was  neither  difficult  nor  doubtful  -}  as  the  utmost 
exertion  oi  their  valour  would  be  useless,  and 
only  serve  to  deprive  them  of  the  advantages 
which  they  might  reap  from  their  neutrality.  He 
reminded  them,  that  the  cruelties  exercised  by 
the  French  on  the  subjects  of  Great-Britain  in 
America,  would  excuse  the  most  severe  reprisals j 
but  Englishmen  were  too  generous  to  follow  such 
buibarous  examples.  He  again  offered  them  the 


VIRGINIA-  25 

sweets  of  peace,  amidst  the  horrors  of  war,  and  c^p« 
left  it  to  themselves  to  determine  their  own  fate. 
But  whatever  resolution  they  might  take,  he  flat- 
tered himself  the  world  would  do  justice  to  his 
conduct,  which  should  be  regulated  by  the  strict- 
est rules  of  justice.  He  concluded  with  laying 
before  them,  the  strength  and  power  as  well  as 
generosity  of  England,  which  thus  humanely 
stretched  out  her  hand  to  them ;  a  hand  ready  to 
assist  them  on  all  occasions,  even  when  France, 
by  her  weakness,  incapable  of  assisting,  abandon- 
ed them  in  the  most  critical  moment. 

THIS  humane  manifesto  produced  no  effect; 
the  Canadians  thought  they  could  place  no  de- 
pendance  on  the  promises  and  sincerity  of  a  na- 
tion, whom  their  priests  had  industriously  repre- 
sented as  the  most  savage  and  cruel  enemy  on 
earth.  Possessed  with  these  notions,  which  pre- 
vailed even  among  the  better  sort,  they  chose  to 
abandon  their  habitations,  and  expose  themselves, 
and  their  families,  to  certain  ruin,  by  provoking 
the  English  with  the  most  cruel  hostilities,  rather 
than  remain  quiet,  and  confide  on  the  general's 
promise  of  protection.  Instead  of  such  a  pru- 
dent conduct,  the  Canadians  joined  the  scalping 
parties  of  Indians,  who  skulked  among  the  woods, 
and  falling  on  the  English  stragglers  by  surprize, 
murdered  them  with  the  most  inhuman  barbarity ; 
so  that  Wolfe,  whose  generous  nature  revolttd 
against  such  wanton  and  perfidious  cruelty,  after 
having  in  vain  expostulated  on  this  head  with  the 
French  general,  was  obliged  to  connive  at  some 
retaliations,  in  order  to  intimidate  the  enemy,  and 
effect  by  punishment,  what  the  lenient  hand  of 
kindness  had  attempted  in  vain. 

THE  conduct  of  Montcalm,  the   French  com- 
mander in  chief,  did  honour  to  his  judgment; 
2  I 


25S  HISTORY  OF 

though  his  army  was  greatly  superior  to  that  of 
the  English,  he  carefully  avoided  an  engagement 
and  prudently  resolved  to  depend  on  the  natural 
strength  of  the  country,  which  seemed  almost 
unsurmountable.  The  city  of  Quebec  was  strong, 
ly  fortified,  secured  with  a  numerous  garrison,  and 
plentifully  supplied  with  provisions  and  ammuni- 
tion. The  troops  of  the  colony  were  reinforced 
with  five  regular  battalions,  formed  of  the  princi- 
pal inhabitants  j  all  the  Canadians  in  the  neigh* 
bourhoocl  capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  several 
tribes  ot  Indians,  were  completely  disciplined ; 
and  with  this  army  Montcalm  took  the  field,  and 
incamptd  in  a  very  advantageous  situation,  along 
the  shore  of  Beaufort,  between  the  river  St. 
C  hailt-s,  and  a  bank  ot  sand  of  great  extent,  which 
prevents  any  considerable  vessel  from  approach- 
ing  the  shore,  in  his  front,  and  thick  impenetra- 
ble woods  on  his  rear.  There  never  was  a  stronger 
post  ;  it  was  impossible  to  attack  him  in  it,  and 
whilst  he  remained  there  it  was  in  his  power  to 
throw  succumb  into  the  city  whenever  he  pleased. 
WOLFE  saw  all  the  difficulties  that  must  attend 
his  undertaking  the  siege  of  Quebec,  almost  in- 
accessible by  its  situation,  and  defended  by  a  su- 
perior army  ;  but  he  knew  at  the  same  time,  that 
he  should  always  have  it  in  his  power  to  retreat, 
while  the  English  squadron  maintained  its  station 
in  the  river  j  nor  was  he  without  hopes  of  being 
joined  by  general  Amherst.  Receiving  advice, 
that  a  detachment  of  the  enemy,  with  a  train  of 
artillery,  was  posted  at  Point  Levi,  on  the  south 
shore,  oppose  the  city  of  Quebec  .he  determin- 
ed to  daslodge  them  before  they  had  intrenched 
themselves.  Accordingly  he  detached  brigadier 
!:K-n  v.ith  four  battalions,  who  passed  the 
river  in  the  night ;  and  next  morning,  after  a 
ikirnmh  with  some  of  the  enemy's  irregu- 


VIRGINIA. 

krs,  obliged  them  to  quit  that  post,  which  was 
immediately  occupied  by  the  English*.  At  the 
same  time  colonel  Carleton,  wirh  another  detach, 
ment,  took  possession  of  the  western  point  of  the 
isle  of  Orleans,  and  both  posts  were  directly  for. 
tified,  in  order  to  anticipate  the  enemy,  who,  as 
has  been  already  observed,  if  they  had  kept  pos- 
•ession  of  either,  might  have  rendered  it  impos- 
sible for  ships  to  lie  at  anchor  within  two  miles  of 
the  city.  Besides,  Point  Levi  was  within  cannon, 
shot  of  the  city ;  a  battery  of  cannon  and  mor- 
tars was  of  course  immediately  erected  there, 
Montcalm,  foreseeing  the  effect  of  this  battery 
detached  a  body  of  sixteen  hundred  men  across 
the  river,  to  attack  and  destroy  the  works  before 
they  were  compleated  :  but  the  attempt  miscar- 
ried. The  battery  being  finished  without  fur- 
ther interruption,  a  continual  fire  was  kept  up 
against  the  city  with  such  success,  that  in  a  little 
time  the  upper  town  was  considerably  damaged, 
and  the  lower  town  reduced  to  an  heap  of  rub* 
bish.  In  the  mean  while  the  fleet,  one  division 
of  which,  under  admiral  Saunders,  was  stationed 


*  Mons. Montcalm  foresaw  the  great  advantages  thst  would 
result  to  us  over  their  capital,  from  being  possessed  of  Point 
Ltvi ;  and  proposed,  before  the  English  armament  came  up 
the  river,  that  four  thousand  men  should  be  strongly  en- 
trenched here,  with  some  cannon,  and  that  other  wot  ks  should 
also  be  constructed  higher  up  the  country,  at  ceiuin  distan- 
ces, for  the  troops  to  retire  to,  in  case  their  lines  should  he 
carried  at  the  Point.  But  Mons.  Vaiidreuil  over-ruled  this 
proposal  in  a  council  of  war,  and  insisiec,  that  though  we 
might  demolish  a  tew  insignificant  houses  with  fehcjfs,  yet 
we  could  not  bring  cannon  to  bear  upon  Quebec  across  the 
river  ;  and  was  firmly  of  opinion,  that  it  wai  ihtir  duty  to 
stand  upon  the  defensive,  with  theii  whi.Iearrm  on  the  i  < ,rlh 
tide  of  the  bason,  and  noidir'de  ihcir  force  en  any  account 


GO  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  below  in  the  north  channel  of  the  Isle  of  Orleans,- 
opposite  to  Montmorenci ;  the  other  under  acU 
miral  Holmes,  above  the  town,  at  once  to  divert 
the  enemy's  attention,  and  to  prevent  any  attempts 
against  the  batteries  that  played  against  Quebec „ 
suffered  great  damage  from  a  storm,  which  blew 
vyith  such  violence,  that  many  of  the  transports 
ran  foul  of  one  another  and  were  driven  on  shore, 
a  number  of  small  craft  and  boats  foundered,  se- 
veral of  the  flat- bottomed  boats  were  rendered 
unfit  for  farther  service,  and  divers  large  ships 
lost  their  anchors.  The  enemy,  in  order  to  take 
advantage  of  the  confusion  which  they  supposed 
this  disaster  must  have  occasioned,  at  midnight, 
sent  down  five  fire  ships  and  two  rafts  to  destroy 
the  fleet.  The  scheme,  though  well  contrived, 
was  happily  defeated  by  the  prudence  of  the  En- 
glish admiral,  and  the  resolution  and  alertness  of 
the  sailors,  who  resolutely  towed  the  fire  ships 
and  rafts  fast  aground,  where  they  lay  burning  to 
the  water's  edge,  without  doing  the  least  damage 
to  the  English  squadron.  A  second  attempt  of 
this  kind  was  made  on  the  very  same  day  of  the 
succeeding  month,  which  proving  equally  ineffec- 
tual, the  French  general  thought  proper  to  lay 
aside  his  design. 

A  i  soon  as  the  works  for  securing  the  hospital 
and  stores  were  finished,  the  English  forces  cros- 
sed the  river  St.  Laurence  in  boats,  and  landing 
under  the  cover  of  two  sloops,  encamped  on  the 
side  of  the  river  Montmorenci  with  a  view  of  pass- 
ing that  river,  and  bringing  the  enemy  to  an  en- 
gagement. The.nezt  morning  a  party  of  rangers, 
posted  in  a  wood  to  cover  some  fascine  makers, 
were  attacked  by  the  French  Indians,  and  defeat- 
ed ;  but  the  nearest  troops  advancing,  the  enemy 
were  in  thrir  turn  repulsed  with  considerable  loss. 
The  reasons  that  induced  general  Wolfe  to  choose 


VIRGINIA.  961 

this  situation  by  the  falls  of  Mon^morenc",  m  CTTAP. 
which  he  was  separated  from  Quebec  by  thisu  :l  . 
another  river  named  St.  Charles,  were,  that  the 
ground  which  he  had  chosen  was  high,  ar  1  in 
some  measure  commanded  the  opposite  side  where 
the  enemy  was  posted  :  that  there  was  a  ford  be- 
low the  falls  passable  every  tide  for  some  hours 
at  the  latter  part  of  the  ebb  and  beginning  of  the 
flood ;  and  he  was  in  hopes  that  means  might  be 
found  to  pass  the  river  higher  up,  so  as  to  fight 
Mons.  Montcalm  on  less  disadvantageous  terms 
than  directly  attacking  his  intrenchmcnts.  Ac- 
cordinglv,  on  reconnoitering  the  river  Montmoren- 
ei,  a  ford  was  discovered  about  three  miles  above; 
but  the  opposite  bank,  which  was  naturally  steep 
and  covered  with  woods,  was  rendered  so  strong 
by  intrenchments,  as  to  be  almost  inaccessible. 
The  escort  was  twice  attacked  by  the  French  In- 
dians, who  were  both  times  repulsed  ;  these  skir- 
mishes cost  the  English  about  forty  men  killed 
and  wounded,  including  officers.  Wolfe  there- 
fore deferred  his  intended  attack  on  the  French 
army,  till  he  had  surveyed  the  river  St.  Laurence 
above  Quebec,  in  hopes  of  discovering  a  place 
more  favourable  for  a  descent. 

ACCORDINGLY,  the  admiral,  at  his  request,  on 
the  18th  of  July,  sent  two  men  of  war,  two  sloops, 
and  some  transports,  with  troops  on  board,  up  the 
river  ;  and  they  passed  the  city  of  Quebec,  with- 
out sustaining  the  least  damage.  The  general 
being  himself  on  board  this  little  armament,  care- 
fully observed  the  banks  on  the  side  of  the  ene- 
my, which  were  extremely  difficult  from  the  na- 
ture of  the  ground,  and  the  works  of  the  enemy. 
Though  a  descent  seemed  impracticable  between 
the  city  and  Cape  Rouge,  where  it  was  intended, 
general  Wolfe,  in  order  to  divide  the  enemy's 
force,  and  procure  intelligence,  sent  a  detachment. 


562  HISTORY  OF 

under  colonel  Carleton,  to  land  higher  up  at  Point 
au  Tremble,  where  he  had  been  informed  a  good 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Quebec  had  retired 
with  their  most  valuable  effects.  This  service 
was  performed  with  little  loss,  though  the  colonel 
at  landing  met  with  some  opposition  from  a  bo- 
dy  of  Indians  :  several  prisoners  were  brought 
off,  but  no  magazine  was  discovered. 

THE  general,  thus  disappointed  in  his  expec- 
tations, returned  to  Montmorenci,  where  Briga- 
dier Townshend  had,  by  maintaining  a  superior 
fire  across  the  river,  prevented  the  enemy  from 
erecting  a  battery,  which  would  have  command- 
ed the  English  camp ;  and  now  resolved  to  at- 
tack the  French  army,  though  posted  to  great 
advantage. 

As  the  men  of  war,  for  want  of  a  sufficient 
depth  of  water,  could  not  come  near  enough  to 
the  enemy's  entrenchments,  to  annoy  them  in  the 
least,  the  admiral  prepared  two  flat  bottomed  arm- 
ed vessels,  which  might  on  occasion  be  run 
aground  to  favor  a  descent.  With  the  assistance 
of  these  vessels,  Wolfe  proposed  to  make  him- 
self master  of  a  detached  redoubt  near  the  water 
edge,  situated,  according  to  all  appearance,  out  of 
musquet  shot  of  the  enemy's  entrenchments  on 
the  hill.  If  the  French  supported  this  work  it 
must  necessarily  bring  on  an  engagement,  a  cir- 
cumstance which  he  earnestly  wished  for ;  and  if 
they  tamely  beheld  its  reduction,  he  would  have 
it  in  his  power  to  examine  their  situation  at  leisure, 
so  as  to  be  able  to  determine  where  they  might  be 
attacked  with  the  greatest  prospect  of  success. 
Preparations  were  accordingly  made  for  the  at- 
tack ;  oil  the  last  day  of  July,  in  the  forenoon, 
the  boats  of  the  fleet  were  filled  with  grenadiers, 
and  part  of  Brigadier  Monckton's  brigade  from 
Levi.  The  two  brigades  under  Brigadiers 


VIRGINIA.  265 

Townshcnd  and  Murray  were  drawn  out,  in  or-  CHAP, 
der  to  be  ready  to  pass  the  lord,  when  judged  Iir- 
necessary.  To  facilitate  their  passage,  the  admi- 
ral stationed  the  Centurion,  of  fifty- four  guns,  in 
the  channel,  to  check  the  fire  of  the  lower  battery, 
which  commanded  the  ford :  a  numerous  train 
of  artillery  was  placed  upon  the  eminence,  to  en- 
filade the  left  of  the  enemy's  entrenchments,  and 
the  two  armed  vessels  prepared  for  this  purpose 
were  run  aground  near  the  redoubt,  to  favour  the 
descent  of  the  forces.  The  manifest  confusion 
produced  among  the  enemy  by  these  previous 
measures,  and  the  fire  of  the  Centurion,  which 
was  well  directed  and  sustained,  determined  the 
general  to  storm  this  intrenchment  without  fur- 
ther del;,;*. 

AT  a  proper  time  of  tide  the  signal  was  made  ; 
but  in  rowing  towards  the  shore,  many  of  the 
boats  from  Point  Levi  ran  aground  upon  a  ledge 
that  runs  oS*  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
ihore ;  and  this  accident  occasioned  so  much  time 
:o  be  lost  in  remedying  the  disorder,  that  Wolfe 
\vas  obliged  to  stop  the  march  of  brigadier  Towns- 
hend's  corps,  which  he  perceived  to  be  in  motion. 
In  the  mean  time,  the  boats  were  floated  a.'id 
ranged  in  proper  order,  though  exposed  to  a  .^- 
vere  fire  of  shot  and  shells  ;  and  the  general  in 
person,  assisted  by  several  sea  o  Seers,  sounding 
the  shore,  pointed  out  the  place  where  the  troops 
might  land  with  the  least  difficulty.  Thirteen 
companies  of  granadiers,  and  two  hundred  men 
of  the  second  Royal  American  battalion,  \verc 
the  first  on  shore,  and  obliged  the  enemy  to  aban- 
don the  redoubt  below  the  precipice.  They  had 
received  orders  to  form  in  four  distinct  bodies, 
and  begin  the  attack,  supported  by  brigadier 
Monckton's  corps,  as  soon  as  the  other  troops 
•houid  have  passed  the  foid,  and  be  near  enough 


264  HISTORY  OF 

to  contribute  their  assistance.  But  unfortunately 
the  grenadiers,  impatient  to  acquire  glory,  with- 
out waiting  for  any  reinforcement,  or  forming 
themselves  as  directed,  in  great  confusion  ran  up 
the  hill,  and  made  many  efforts  to  gain  the  sum- 
mit,  which  they  found  less  practicable  than  had 
been  expected  :  in  this  situation  they  received  a 
general  discharge  of  musquetry  from  the  enemy's 
breast  works,  which  was  continued  without  any 
return  ;  our  brave  soldiers  reserving  their  fire,  un- 
til they  should  reach  the  top  of  the  precipice, 
"which  was  inconceivably  steep  :  to  persevere  any 
longer  they  now  found  was  to  little  purpose,  their 
trdour  was  checked  by  the  repeated  heavy  fire  of 
the  enemy,  which  did  such  execution  among  them, 
that  at  length  they  were  obliged  to  retire  in  dis- 
order, and  shelter  themselves  under  the  redoubt 
which  the  French  had  abandoned  at  their  ap- 
proach. The  general  seeing  the  situation  of  af- 
fairs, night  drawing  on,  and  the  ammunition  of 
the  army  damaged  by  a  most  dreadful  storm,  or- 
dered them  to  retreat  and  form  behind  Monck- 
ton's  brigade,  which  was  by  this  time  landed  and 
drawn  upon  the  beach,  in  good  order.  They  ac- 
cordingly retreated,  leaving  a  considerable  num- 
ber lying  on  the  field  exposed  to  the  barbarity  of 
the  Indians.  The  enemy  did  not  attempt  to  pur- 
§ue  ;  so  the  whole  repassed  the  river  without 
molestation,  and  returned  to  their  former  camp  at 
Montmorenci. 

THE  two  armed  vessels,  which  were  aground, 
were  burnt  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  ene- 
my's hands.  The  loss  of  our  forces  this  day, 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  including  all  ranks, 
amounted  to  fcur  bundled  and  fort)  -three,  among 
whom  were  two  captains  and  two  lieutenants  killed 
011  the  spot ;  colonel  Burton  of  the  forty-eighth 


VIRGINIA.  £ 

regiment,  six  captains,  nineteen  lieutenants,  and     CHAP. 
three  ensigns  wounded. 

THE  general,  immediately  after •  this  mortify, 
ing  check,  detached  brigadier  Murray,  with  twelve 
hundred  men,  in  transports,  above  the  town,  to 
co-operate  with  admiral  Holmes,  whom  admiral 
Saunders  had  sent  up  the  river,  to  destroy  the 
French  ships  if  possible.  The  brigadier  wa's  also 
instructed  to  sicze  evtry  opportunity  of  fighting 
the  enemy's  detachments.  In  pursuance  of  these 
directions,  he  twice  attempted  to  land  on  the 
north  shore  ;  but  these  attempts  were  unsuccess- 
ful :  his  third  effort  was  more  fortunate  ;  he  mzide 
a  descent  at  Cham  baud,  and  burned  a  considera- 
ble magazine,  filled  with  arms,  cloathing,  provi- 
sions, and  ammunition.  By  the  prisoners  he 
learned  that  Fort  Niagara  had  surrendered  ;  and 
discovered  by  intercepted  letters,  that  the  enemy 
having  abandoned  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point, 
were  retired  to  Isle  an  Noix  ;  and  that  gen.  Am- 
herst  was  making  preparations  to  pass  Lake 
Champlain,  and  attack  the  corps  commanded  by 
Mons.  BourLemaque.  The  enemy's  ships  being 
secured  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  be  approached, 
and  nothing  else  occurring  that  required  the  bri- 
gadier's longer  stay,  he  returned  to  the  camp  at 
Point  Levi. 

BUT  this  intelligence,  otherwise  so  pleasing, 
brought  no  prospect  of  any  assistance  from  that 
quarter.  The  season  wasted  apace.  The  general 
fell  violently  ill,  from  care,  watching,  and  fatigue, 
too  great  to  be  supported  by  a  delicate  constitu- 
tion, and  a  body  unequal  to  the  vigorous  and  en- 
terprizing  soul  that  it  lodged.  His  own  high  no- 
tions, the  public  expectation,  the  success  of  other 
commanders,  oppressed  his  spirits,  and  convert- 
ed disappointment  into  disease.  During  his  ill- 
2K 


26$  HISTORY  OF 

ness  he  desired  the  general  officers  to  consult  to- 
gether for  the  public  utility  ;  and  it  was  their 
opinion  that  any  farther  attempts  at  Montmorenci 
were  to  little  purpose  ;  and  that  the  points  Levi 
and  Orleans  being  left  in  a  proper  state  of  defence, 
the  rest  of  the  troops  should  be  conveyed  up  the 
river,  and  the  future  principal  operations  should 
be  above  the  town,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  draw 
the  enemy  to  an  action.  This  measure,  however, 
was  not  adopted  until  the  general  and  admiral,  as- 
sisted by  the  principal  engineer,  had  reconnoiter- 
ed  the  town  of  Quebec,  with  a  view  to  a  general 
assault.  But  after  a  careful  survey,  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  that  such  an  attack  was  imprac- 
ticable :  for  though  the  men  of  war  might  have 
silenced  the  batteries  of  the  lower  town,  they 
could  not  affect  the  upper  works,  from  which  they 
must  have  sustained  considerable  damage.  The 
camp  of  Montmorenci  was  therefore  broke  up, 
and  the  troops  encamped  at  Point  Levi.  The 
squadron  under  admiral  Holmes  made  movements 
up  the  river  for  several  days  successively,  in  or. 
der  to  amuse  the  enemy  posted  on  the  north 
shore. 

ON  the  5th  and  6th  of  September,  the  general 
emb  irked  the  forces  ;  but  the  transports  being 
extremely  crowded,  and  the  weather  bad,  one 
Ivalf  of  the  troops  were  landed  for  refreshment  on 
the  south  shore.  As  soon  as  matters  were  ripe 
for  action t  he  directed  admiral  Saunders  to  make 
a  feint  with  his  squadron,  as  if  he  proposed  to  at- 
tack  the  French  in  their  entrenchments  on  the 
Beauport  shore,  below  the  town,  and  by  his  mo- 
tions to  give  this  feint  all  the  appearance  of  reali- 
ty possible.  This  disposition  being  made  below 
the  town,  Wolfe  embarked  his  forces  about  one 
in  the  morning,  and  admiral  Holmes's  division 
sailed  three  leagues  further  up  the  river  than  the 


VIRGINIA;  257 

place  where  he  intended  toland*  in  order  to  conceal    CH  AP. 
his  real  design.     He  then  embarked  the  troops,  _ 
and  fell  do\vn  silently  with  the  tide  ;  but  by  the  " 
rapidity  of  the  current,  and  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  the  boats  were  carried  a  little  below  the  in- 
tended place  of  attack.    The  ships  followed  them, 
and  arriving  just  at  the  time  that  had  been  concert- 
ed, to  cover  their  landing*  the  troops  were  disem- 
barked without  loss,  o/indeed  the  knowledge  of 
the  enemy. 

THIS  remarkable  success  was,  in  some  mea- 
sure, owing  to  the  following  accident :  two  French 
deserters  had  been  carried  the  evening  before  on 
board  the  English  fleet,  and  from  them  the  general 
learned,  that  the  garrison  expected  that  night  to 
receive  a  convoy  of  provisions  in  boats,  from  the 
detachment  above  the  town,  commanded  by  Mons. 
Bougainville.     The  knowledge   of  this  circum. 
stance  was  of  the  utmost  consequence,  and  tend- 
ed to  deceive  the  centinels  posted  along-shore  to 
challenge  boats  and  vessels,   and  give  an  alarm, 
if  necessary.     The  first  English  boat  being  ques- 
tioned  accordingly,   captain  Donald  M' Donald, 
of  Eraser's  Highland  regiment,  who  was  perfect- 
ly acquainted  with  the  French  language,  answer- 
ed without  hesitation,  to  their  challenging  word, 
3>ui  ij a  la  ?  (Who  is  there)  La  France.     When 
the  centinel  asked,  Au  quel  regiment?  (To  what 
regiment  do  you  belong  ?)  The  captain  replied, 
De  la  Rime,  (To  the  queen's)  which  he  acciden- 
tally knew  to  be  one  of  those  that  were  under  the 
command  of  Bougainville.     The  soldier  took  it 
for  granted  that  this  was  the  expected  convoy, 
and  allowed  the  boats  to  proceed,  without  further 
interruption.     The  other  Gentries  were  deceived 
in  the  same  manner  ;  though  one  more  wary  than 
the  rest,  ran  down  to  the  water's  edge,  and  called, 
Pour quoincparlez  wnsplus  haut?  (Why don't)  ou 


HISTORY  Of 

speak  with  an  audible  voice  ?)  To  this  question, 
which  implied  doubt,  the  captain  answered  with 
admirable  presence  of  mind,  in  a  low  voice,  Tais 
tois9  nous  scrons  entendues,  (Hush  !  we  shall  be 
overheard,  and  discovered).  Thus  cautioned, 
the  centinel  retired  without  further  altercation. 

As  the  troops  could  not  be  landed  at  the  place 
intended,  when  they  gained  the  shore;  an  high 
precipice  appeared  before  them,  extremely  steep, 
and  almost  perpendicular.  A  little  path  winded 
up  this  ascent,  so  narrow  that  two  persons  could 
not  go  a-breast;  and  even  this  path,  by  which  alone 
the  forces  could  possibly  reach  the  summit,  was 
strongly  intrenched,  and  defended  by  a  captain's 
guard.  Such  great  difficulties  did  not  abate  the 
hopes  of  the  general,  or  the  ardour  of  the  troops. 
Colonel  Howe's  light  infantry,  laying  hold  of 
stumps  and  boughs  of  trees,  pulled  themselves 
up,  dislodged  the  enemy,  and  cleared  the  path  ; 
then  gained  the  top  of  the  hill,  without  further 
interruption,  and  as  fast  as  they  ascended  formed 
themselves  ;  so  that  the  whole  army  was  in  order 
of  battle  by  day- break, 

Mo N  T  c  A "L M,  when  the  news  was  brought  him, 
could  scarcely  credit  the  report ;  but  still  belie v- 
ed  it  to  be  a  feint,  to  induce  him  to  abandon  that 
strong  post,  which  had  been  the  object  of  all  the 
real  attempts  that  had  been  made  since  the  begin- 
ning  of  tile  siege.  But  no  sooner  was  he  unde- 
ceived, and  found  that  the  English  army  had  re- 
ally gained  the  Heights  of  Abraham,  which  in  a 
manner  commanded  the  town  of  Quebec  on  its 
weakest  part,  *han  he  determined  to  risk  a  battle  ; 
and  according!}'  quitted  his  intrenched  camp,  and 
having  collected  his  whole  force  from  the  side  of 
Beauport,  marched  towards  the  English  army, 
Xvithout  delay. 


VIRGIN!  2 

GENERAL  WOLFE,  perceiving  the  enemy  CHAP, 
crossing  the  river  St.  Charles,  began  to  form  his  „•„,.. ,,^'-, 
own  line,  which  consisted  of  six  battalions  and 
the  Louisbonrg  grenadiers  ;  the  right  command- 
ed by  brigadier  Monckton,  and  the  left  by  briga- 
dier Murray.  Colonel  Howe,  who  was  just  re- 
turned with  his  light  infantry  from  taking  a  four- 
gun  battery,  was  posted  in  the  rear  of  the  lefr. 
M.  de  Montcalm  advancing  in  such  a  manner  as 
shewed  his  intention  was  to  ilank  the  left  of  the 
English,  brigadier  Townshend  was  ordered  thi- 
ther with  Amherst's  regiment,  which  he  formed 
e.n  potency  presentinga  double  front  to  the  enemy  : 
he  was  afterwards  reinforced  with  two  battalions, 
and  the  reserve,  consisting  of  one  regiment,  form- 
ed in  eight  sub-divisions,  with  large  intervals,  was 
posted  behind  the  right.  The  right  wing  of  the 
enemy  was  composed  of  half  their  colony  troops, 
two  battalions  of  regulars,  and  a  body  of  Cana- 
dians  and  savages  :  their  center  consisted  of  a 
column  formed  by  two  other  regular  battalions; 
and  their  left  of  one  battalion,  with  the  rest  of 
the  colony  troops  :  the  bushes  and  corn-fields  in 
their  front  were  lined  with  fifteen  hundred  of 
their  best  marksmen,  who  kept  up  an  irregular 
galling  fire,  which  proved  fatal  to  many  brave  of- 
ficers, thus  singled  out  for  destruction.  This  fire 
was  indeed  in  some  measure  checked  by  the  ad- 
vanced posts  of  the  English  line,  who  picqueer- 
ed  with  the  enemy  for  some  hours  before  the  bat- 
tle began.  Both  armies  were  almost  entirely 
destitute  of  artillery  ;  the  French  having  only  two 
pieces,  and  the  English  two  six-  pounders,  which 
the  seamen  had  with  great  difficulty  drawn  up 
from  the  landing-place  ;  but  these  were  extreme- 
ly well  served,  and  galled  their  column  severely, 
obliging  them  to  alter  their  disposition. 


270  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  ABOUT  ten  in  the  morning  the  enemy  ad  vane- 
ed  briskly  to  the  charge  hi  three  columns,  two  of 
them  inclining  towards  the  left  of  our  army,  and 
the  third  to  our  right,  firing  obliquely  at  the  two 
extremities  of  our  line,  from  the  distance  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty  yards,  until  they  came  within 
forty  yards,  which  our  troops  withstood  with  the 
greatest  intrepidity  and  firmness,  reserving  their 
fire.  This  uncommon  steadiness,  together  with 
the  havock  which  the  grape-shot  from  our  field- 
pieces  made  amongst  them,  threw  them  into 
some  disorder.  The  English,  who  had  been  or- 
dered to  load  with  double  ball,  now  poured  in  a 
terrible  .discharge,  and  continued  their  fire  with 
such  deliberation  and  spirit,  that  the  enemy  im- 
mediately gave  way,  and  fled  with  precipitation. 
General  Wolfe  himself  was  stationed  on  the  right, 
at  the  head  of  Bragg's  regiment  and  the  Louis- 
bourg  grenadiers,  where  the  attack  was  warm- 
est, and  standing  conspicuous,  in  the  very  front 
of  the  line,  had  been  aimed  at  by  the  enemy's 
marksmen,  and  at  last  received  a  shot  in  the 
wrist,  which  did  not  oblige  him,  however,  to 
quit  the  field.  Having  wrapped  an  handkerchief 
round  his  arm,  he  continued  giving  orders  with- 
out the  least  emotion,  and  advanced  at  the  head 
of  the  grenadiers,  with  their  bayonets  fixed,  when 
another  ball  unfortunately  pierced  the  breast  of 
this  young  hero*,  just  as  the  enemy  gave  way, 


*  \Vhen  the  general  was  carried  off  wounded  to  the  rear 
m  the  front  line,  he  desired  those  who  were  about  him  to  lay 
him  down  ;  being  asked  if  he  would  have  a  surgeon  ?  he  re- 
plied, "  It  is  needless,  it  is  all  over  with  me."  An  officer 
•present  cried  out,  "  They  run,  see  how  they  run."  "  Who 
run  ?"  demanded  our  hero,  with  great  earnestness,  like  a 
;>rrson  roused  from  sleep  !  The  officer  answered,  "  The  en- 
emy, Uir,egad>  they  give  way  every  where."  Whereupon  the 


VIRGINIA.  271. 

and  victory  was  crowning  all  his  labours  with  sue-  CHAP, 
cess.  General  Monckton,  the  next  in  command,  In> 
fell  immediately  after,  and  was  conveyed  out  of 
the  line.  While  the  right  and  center  of  the  front 
line  pressed  on  with  their  bayonets,  the  Highland- 
ers with  their  broad- swords,  supported  by  the 
58th  regiment,  fell  on  the  enemy  with  irresisti- 
ble impetuosity,  and  drove  them  with  great  slaugh- 
ter  into  the  town,  and  the  works  they  had  raised 
at  the  bridge,  over  the  river  St.  Charles.  The 
action  was  less  violent  on  the  left  and  rear  of  the 
English.  Some  of  the  light-infantry  had  thrown 
themselves  into  houses,  where  being  attacked, 
they  defended  themselves  with  great  courage  and 
resolution,  being  supported  by  colonel  Howe, 
who  taking  post  with  two  companies  behind  a 
small  copse,  and  frequently  sallying  out  on  the 
flanks  of  the  enemy  during  their  attack,  often 
drove  them  into  heaps,  while  brigadier  Towns- 
bend  advanced  platoons  against  their  front ;  so 
that  the  right  wing  of  the  French  was  totally  pre- 
vented from  executing  their  first  intention.  The 
brigadier  himself  remained  with  Amherst's  re- 
giment, to  support  this  disposition,  and  over- 
awe a  body  of  Indians  posted  opposite  the  light- 
infantry,  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  fall  on  the 
rear  of  die  English  army. 

GENERAL  WOLFE  being  slain,  and  general 
Monckton  dangerously  wounded,  the  command 
of  course  devolved  on  general  Townshend,  who, 


general  rejoined,  "  What  do  the  cowards  run  already  ?  Go- 
one  of  you,  my  lads,  to  colonel  Burton — tell  him  to  march 
Webb's  regiment  with  all  speed,  down  to  Charles  River,  to 
cut  off  the  retreat  ot  the  fugitives  from  the  bridge."  Then 
turning  on  his  side,  he  added,  "  Now,  God  be  praised,  I  will 
die  in  peace  ;"  and  thus  expired. 


072  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  upon  this  information,  hastened  to  the  center,  anci 
formed  the  troops  again,  that  were  somewhat  dis- 
"  ordered  in  the  pursuit,  with  all  possible  expediti- 
on. He  had  scarce  performed  thisnecessaiy  du- 
ty, before  Mons.  Bougainville,  with  a  body  of  two 
thousand  fresh  men,  appeared  in  the  rear  of  the 
English  army.  He  had  marched  from  Cape  Rouge 
the  moment  he  received  advice  that  the  English 
troops  had  gained  the  Heights  of  Abraham ;  but 
did  not  arrive  time  enough  to  have  any  share  in 
the  action. 

GENERAL  TOWNSHEND  immediately  ordered 
two  battalions,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery,  to  ad- 
vance against  this  officer ;  but  he  retired  among 
the  woods  and  swamps,  the  general  prudently  de- 
clined pursuing.  He  had  already  gained  a  com- 
plete victory,  taken  a  great  number  of  French  of- 
ficers, and  was  in  possession  of  a  very  advantage- 
ous situation,  which  it  would  have  been  highly 
imprudent  to  hazard  for  the  sake  of  defeating 
Bougainville's  detachment.  Mons.  de  Montcalni 
was  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle,  and  convey- 
ed to  a  convent  of  Augustine  nuns,  about  a  rniie 
from  Quebec  ;  from  whence,  before  he  died,  he 
\vrote  a  letter  to  general  Townshehd,  recommend- 
ing the  prisoners  to  that  generous  humanity  which 
distinguishes  the  British  nation.  Mons.  de  Sene- 
fergue,  and  Mons.  de  St.  OUTS,  the  two  next  in 
command,  were  also  slain.  About  a  thousand  of 
the  enemy  were  made  prisoners,  including  a  great 
number  of  officers ;  and  about  eight  hundred  were 
killed  in  the  action.  The  shattered  remains  oj" 
their  army,  after  having  reinforced  the  garrison  of 
Quebec,  retired  to  Point  an  Tremble,  from 
whence  they  continued  their  retrtat  to  Jacques 
Quartier,  where  they  remained  intrenched  till  the 
severity  of  the  weal  her  forced  them  to  make  the 
_st  of  their  way  to  Trois  Rivieres  and  Montreal 


VIRGINIA,  273 

THIS  important  victory,  though  gained  at  the  CHAP, 
expence  of  only  sixty-one  men  killed,  including 
nine  officers ;  and  of  five  hundred  and  ninety  eight 
wounded,  was  dearly  bought.  The  death  of  ge- 
neral Wolf  was  a  national  loss,  and  universally  la- 
mented :  soldiers  may  be  raised,  officers  will  be 
formed  by  experience,  but  the  loss  of  a  genius  in 
war  is  not  easily  repaired.  By  nature  formed  for 
military  greatness,  his  memory  was  retentive,  his 
judgment  deep,  and  his  comprehension  surpris- 
ingly quick,  clear,  and  extensive  ;  his  constituti- 
onal courage  not  only  uniform  and  daring,  perhaps 
to  an  extreme,  but  he  possessed  also  that  higher 
species  of  it,  a  strength,  steadiness  and  activity  of 
mind,  which  no  difficulties  or  dangers  could  deter. 
Generous,  gentle,  friendly,  affable,  and  humane, 
he  was  the  pattern  of  the  officer,  and  the  darling 
of  the  soldier ;  his  sublime  genius  soared  above 
the  pitch  of  ordinary  minds  ;  and  had  his  facul- 
ties been  exercised  to  their  full  extent,  by  oppor- 
tunities and  action,  and  his  judgment  been  fully 
ripened  by  age  and  experience,  he  would  have 
rivalled  the  most  celebrated  heroes  of  antiquity. 

IN  every  other  quarter  the  war  wa*  equally  sue- 
cessful.      Altho'  the  great  commoner  had  resign- 
ed in  disgust,  be  left  behind  him  his  vast    pro- 
jects for  the  humiliation  of  the  house  of  Bourbon. 
They  were  every  where  in  operation,  both  on  the 
land  and  the  water,  and  notwithstanding  the  great 
projector  \vas  out  of  the  way,  they  proceeded  tor  a 
time  on  the   momentum  which  he  hael  commu- 
nicated.    Spain  had  been  added  to   the  list  of 
her  enemies,  but  a  series  of  disasters  evinced  the 
inadequacy  of  the  united  Bourbons,  to  cope  with 
the  genius  and  fortune  of  Britain,  and  preliminaries 
were  at  length  signed  and  interchanged  at  Fontain- 
bleau,  in  the  beginning:  of  November,  1762,  be* 
2L 


274  HISTORY  OF 

tween  the  ministers  of  Great  Britain,  France^ 
Spain,  and  Portugal. 

THUS  ended  a  war,  whose  successes  raised  the 
British  nation  to  the  very  pinnacle  of  human  great- 
ness.  The  cession  of  Canada,  with  all  that  part 
of  Louisiana,  which  is  situated  to  the  east  of  the 
great  river  Mississippi ;  together  with  Cape  Bre- 
ton and  the  other  islands  in  the  gulph  and  river  of 
St.  Laurence ;  of  Grenada  and  the  Grenadines  in 
the  West  Indies,  together  with  the  neutral  islands, 
Dominique,  Vincents,  and  Tobago  ;  Senegal 
guaranteed  to  Britain  in  Africa;  the  renuncia- 
tion by  France  of  all  her  acquisitions  on  the  coast 
of  Coromandel,  and  her  stipulation,  not  to  erect  for- 
tifications  in  any  part  of  the  kingdom  of  Bengal  in 
Europe  ;  the  restoraion  of  Minorca  by  the  same 
power,  and  her  consent  to  the  demolition  of  the 
harbor  and  fortifications  of  Dunkirk  ;  The  cession 
bv  Spain,  and  guarantee  in  full  right  of  East  and 
West  Florida,  and  all  her  other  possessions  to  the 
East  and  South  east  of  the  Mississippi  ;  her  re- 
lirquishment  of  right  to  fish  on  the  banks  of  New 
Foundland,  and  her  admission  of  the  English 
claim  to  cut  logwood  on  the  coast  of  Honduras, 
present  a  croud  of  brilliant  and  useful  trophies, 
which  have  rarely  if  ever  been  exceeded. — Justice 
alone  was  wantingto  secure  those  great  ad  vantages, 
Happy  for  Britain — too  happy  had  it  been,  if  the 
fruits  of  so  many  victories  had  been  used  with  a 
moderation  equal  to  the  valor  and  wisdom  by 
which  they  had  been  atchieved.  Her  subsequent 
conduct  exhibits  another  melancholy  fact  in  sup- 
"f  the  opinion  that  states  and  empires  Jike  in- 
'uals,  have  their  points  of  elevation  and  de- 
pression, and  that  having  attained  their  zenith,  they 


VIRGINIA.  275 

are  fated  to  measure  back  their  way  to  the  nadir 
of  feebleness  and  decrepitude.* 


*  The  military  operations  in  Canada  have  been  taken  ver- 
batim from  Wynne.  The  portion  of  narrative  thus  borrow* 
ed  is  small  ;  I  have  ventured  on  it,  notwithstanding,  wiih 
uneasiness  and  reluctance.  It  is  certainly  matter  not  neces* 
sarily  connected  with  the  History  of  Vinrinia  :  but  tor  good 
sense  and  conciseness  it  is  not  easy  to  dad  au  authority  su- 
perior to  Wynn*. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


State  of  America  after  the  peace — opinions  enter-* 
1  ained  of  the  powers  of  the  British  pailiamerti 
—external  and  internal  'axes.  Mr.  Grenville^ 
resolutions  respecting  addition  il  duties — his  fa- 
mous declaratory  resolution.  Its  reception  in  Bri- 
ta'm — it  excites  the  utmost  alarm  hi  the  colonies 
— spirited  resolutions  of  the  American  provinces 
—  Mr.  Grenville^s  celebrated  stamp  tax— 
ar%umenfs  of  the  minority  on  it — it  excites 
the  highest  indignation  and  most  determined 
opbos'tion  in  the  colonies — spirited  resolution 
of  Patrick  Henry  in  the  Virginia  Assem- 
bJv — Governor  dissolves  the  Assembly — mem- 
#<>r?  re-elected  almost  unanimously — Several 
other  colonies  adobt  similar  resolutions — Mas- 
sachusetts assembly  recommend  a  general  con- 
gress — $f)i*it  and  ability  of  neivs -paper  dis- 
cussions— stamp  officers  compelled  to  resign — col. 
Mercer,  his  disinterested  behaviour — congress  at 
N.  Tork — their  declaration  of  rights  and  grie- 
vances— their  petition  to  the  king  and  memorials 
to  the  two  houses  of  parliament — congress  recom- 
mend the  appointment  of  special  agents — Riots  in 
the  towns — Administration  changed — New  mi- 
nistry favorable  to  the  American  claims — Circu- 
lar letter  of  General  Conway  to  the  American 
Governors — Proceedings  in  the  British  Parlia- 
ment— Stamp  act  repealed- — Joy  in  America, 
produced  by  this  event — Chas.  Toivnsend's  boast 
vf  raising  an  American  revenue — This  revenue 


to  be  appropriated  to  the  payment  of  the  CHAP. 

of  government — This  act  is  opposed  in  America 
— Several  able  political  tracts,  discuss  its  consti- 
tutionality—  Proceedings  of  the  Massachusetts 
Assembly — Their  circular  letter  to  the  other  co- 
lonies—  Virginia  proceedings— Assembly^  letter 
to  Massachusetts — Lctttcr  of  Hillsborough-* 
Answer  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature  to  the 
Larl  of  Hdlsborough — Assembly  dissolved — 
Seizure  of  the  doop  Libtrty — Riot  in  Boston — 
l\c'venue  officers  take  refuge,  on  board  the  Rom- 
ney — Town  meeting— Death  of  governor  Fau- 
quier — His  character — John  Blair,  President 
of  council — He  unites  with  the  council  and  House 
of  ttitrgess — In  their  petition  to  the  King — In 
their  memorial  to  the  house  of  Lords  and  their 
remonstrance  to  the  house  oj  Commons — Lord 
Botetourt  Governor — His  patriotic  conduct — 
His  assurances  to  Virginia — Finds  himself  de- 
ceived by  the  court — L.  Ins  recall — His 
deatk  and  character — High  testimony  of  the 
regrets  of  the  Colony  at  this  event ,  and  their 
sense  of  his  faithful  administration — Wm.  Nel- 
son, i' resident — IVarm  supporter  of  American 
liberty —  Lord  Dunmore  arrives— Assembly — - 
Their  remonstrance  against  fees — His  Lord- 
ship's  mild  and  conciliatory  answer — Inroads 
oj  the  Indians — Their  confederacy  and  defeat  at 
faint  Pleasant. 


278 


CHAPTER  IV. 


CHAP. 
IV. 

••••••••MaMBIH 

State  of 
America 
after  the 
peace. 


THE  last  asra  exhibited  the  dawn  of  genius, 
We  are  now  approaching  its  meridian.  That 
sera  was  the  cradle  of  the  American  rfercules  : 
this  exhibits  him  in  his  might  and  his  beauty,  rend- 
ing the  chains  of  the  oppressed  and  crushing  the 
sceptre  of  the  oppressor.  Henceforth  every 
thing  that  is  glorious  in  action  ;  that  is  sublime  in 
morals,  will  be  familiar.  Justness  of  design,  cor- 
rect conception,  elevation  of  sentiment,  honor, 
virtue,  courage,  genius,  and  ofcen  the  concurrence 
of  them  all  :  Such  are  the  properties  of  this  splen- 
did cera.  What  can  be  more  august,  more  an 
object  of  admiration,  than  the  spectacle  of  virtu- 
ous exiles  driven  from  the  haunts  of  civilized 
life  into  the  howling  wilderness,  by  the  hand  of 
oppression ;  starting  all  at  once  into  manhood  by 
a  sort  of  preternatural  agency  :  although  divided 
by  a  thous  andlocalinterests  and  prejudices,  uniting 
like  chemical  affinities  for  their  mutual  defence. 
What  can  be  more  extraordinary  than  to  see  those 
children  of  yesterday  reading  lessons  of  wisdom 
to  the  wisdom  of  the  earth ;  unfolding  the  repre- 
sentative system  in  the  midst  of  the  waste  ;  con- 
founding the  malice  and  the  power  of  their  enemy 
by  their  wisdom  and  courage,  and  raising  up  alii- 
ances  amongst  the  kings  and  nations  of  the  earth ; 
producing  orators,  poets,  heroes,  statesmen,  phi- 
losophers, and  realizing  by  their  manners  and  ac- 
tions the  history  of  antient  sages. 


HISTORY  OF  279 

IN  the  preceding  zeras  we  saw  the  colonies  fight-  CHAP. 
ing  without  a  concert,  and  struggling  separately 
against  their  savage  neighbours,  assisted  by  the 
power  of  France.  We  saw  them  driven  into  an 
union  by  a  sense  of  common  danger  and  interest, 
and  contending  bravely  and  successfully  in  con- 
junction with  the  fleets  and  armies  of  the  mother 
country.  But  still  the  union  was  incomplete, 
and  after  the  subjugation  of  their  rival  they  would 
in  a  short  time  relapse  into  their  former  jealousy 
and  separation ;  and  the  policy  of  the  mother  coun- 
try would  encourage  their  repugnance  to  union, 
as  the  means  of  concealing  from  them  the  alarm- 
ing secret  of  their  strength. 

IN  fact  so  early  as  1753,  as  has  been  already 
shewn,  a  plan  of  union  was  drafted  with  the  view 
to  an  effectual  co-operation  of  the  colonies  in  mat- 
ters of  mutual  defence,  and  that,  notwithstanding 
the  alarming  power  with  which  the  executive  ma- 
gistrate of  this  general  government  was  clothed, 
it  was  rejected  by  Great- Britain.  It  was  rejected 
by  the  colonies  at  the  same  time,  for  the  better  rea- 
son, that  it  had  a  tendency  by  its  concentration  of 
authority  in  the  president  general  to  diminish  the 
power  of  the  legislatures.  But  notwithstanding 
these  jealousies,  the  attachment  of  the  colonies  to 
the  mother  country  was  universal. 

IN  place  of  this  instrument  of  government,  it 
was  proposed  by  the  minister  that  the  colonial 
governors  with  one  or  two  members  of  the  coun- 
cils of  the  respective  provinces,  should  assemble 
to  consult  and  resolve  on  measures  necessary  for  the 
common  defence,  and  should  draw  on  the  British 
treasury  for  the  sums  to  be  expended,  which  sums 
were  to  be  afterwards  raised  by  a  general  tax,  to 
be  imposed  by  parliament  on  the  colonies.  But 
this  would  have  been  an  union  of  the  creatures  of 
government ;  and  the  project  of  taxation  by  a  par- 


280  VIRGIN! 

CHAP,     liament,  where  the  colonies  were  not  represented, 
*v-        was  in  direct  opposition  to  ail  the  long  established 
habits  and  ieelings  of  the  colonists. 

IN  this  state  the  question  slept,  it  having  been 
deemed  impolitic  to  shock  the  prejudices  of  the 
colonies  by  any  discussions  supposed  to  affect 
their  rights  in  the  midst  of  a  war,  which  shook 
to  its  center  the  British  power  in  N.  America. — 
The  colonies  were  left  to  their  own  judgment  and 
liberality  in  adjusting  the  quantum  of  their  sup- 
plies; and  their  conduct  on  this  occasion  afforded 
complete  evidence  that  they  might  have  been  safe- 
ly trusted  with  the  power.  Even  the  mother  coun- 
try bore  testimony  to  the  r>oble  ardor  and  generous 
profusion  of  her  children,  and  refunded  to  them 
from  the  royal  treasury  large  sums  admitted  to 
have  been  advanced  by  their  legislatures  at  vari- 
ous times,  exceeding  their  means  and  beyond 
their  proportion.* 

IT  vvas  owing  to  this  generous  zeal  on  one  side, 
and  this  apparent  regard  to  justice  and  equity  on 


*  In  the  month  of  February  1756,  the  Film  of  115,000& 
was  voted  by  parliament  as  a  free  gift  and  reward  to  thr  co- 
lonies of  New-England,  New- York,  and  Nevv-Jt  r?ey,for  their 
past  services,  and  as  an  encouragement  to  continue  to  exert 
themselves  wuh  vigor.  Muy  1757,  50,0007.  was  in  like  man- 
ner to  the  Carolinians,  and  in  !753,  41.000/.  to  Masb«,rlui- 
setts  and  Connecticut,  April  1759,  200,000/.  WHS  vot« .  d  'o 
the  respective  colonies  in  N.  America;  Mwich  17CO,  200,(.  (;()/. 
1761,  200.000/.  1762,  133.000/.  1763,  133000/.  in  ;-ii  one 
million  seventy  two  thousand  pounds;  exclusive  'oucver  of 
these  indemnifications,  and  of  the  extraordinary  FV, 
granted  in  the-  different  colon';.:!  assemblies,  a  debt  oi' ab  ve 
two  millions  and  a  half  had  been  incurred  by  America  dur- 
ing the  war,  and  this  debt  was  far  from  bvin^  a*  yet  liqni- 
dated,  but  it  might  be  inferred  from  the  conduct  ••!  :hep  ient 
ministry,  that  the  must  ttivial  revenue  extorKd  from  Ame* 
rica  was  deemed  preferable  to  llrj  largest  sums  fretjy  un4 
voluntarily  i^runted. 


VIRGINIA, 

the  other,  that  the  ties  of  affection  were  drawn 
closer  between  the  parent  state  and  her  colonies ; 
and  that  they  were  enabled  at  the  close  of  the 
<era,  which  had  gone  by,  to  exterminate  the  for- 
midable power  of  France  in  America. 

THE  recollection  of  the  sufferings  they  bore  to- 
gether,and  the  glories  they  mutually  sharedin  these 
encounters,  still  farther  cemented  the  bonds  of 
nativity  and  affection. 

BUT  more  especially  in  the  minds  of  the  colo- 
nists, this  sentiment  was  without  alloy  or  adul- 
teration. They  looked  back  with  a  mingled  pride 
and  admiration  on  the  land  of  their  ancestors,  the 
seat  of  the  arts,  the  sanctuary  of  liberty,  ter- 
ror of  tyrants,  like  the  Roman  senate,  the  hope, 
the  refuge,  the  consolation  of  the  distressed, 
—They  had  seen  her  on  the  land  and  on  the 
waters,'  in  both  hemispheres  contending  for 
liberty  and  empire  with  the  combined  powers 
of  the  house  of  Bourbon,  and  smite  them  in 
the  midst  of  their  power — directed  by  the  coun- 
sels of  that  great  man,  the  suggestions  of  whose 
mind  looked  like  the  work  ing  of  prophecies,  whose 
decision  seemed  like  the  fiat  of  a  divinity,  they 
had  seen  the  reputation  of  British  justice  and  va- 
lour and  eloquence,  spread  to  the  remotest  nati- 
ons, and  the  whole  world  filled  with  admiration 
by  the  adventurous  deeds  of  a  people,  whose  aim 
was  liberty,  whose  scope  was  justice,  and  who, 
whilst  they  defended  their  own  rights,  were  fight- 
ing the  battles  of  the  world. 

IN  contemplating  more  nearly  their  own  situa- 
tion, as  it  stood  relatively  to  the  government  of 
the  parent  state — they  found  little  to  abate  the  ar- 
dour of  their  attachment.  Since  the  dethrone- 
ment of  the  Stuarts,  the  administration  of  govern- 
ment had  been  mild  in  the  provinces  ;  and  the 
2M 


282  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  laws?nd  constitution  regulated  by  arule  of  certain- 
ty, left  the  people  no  apprehensions  for  their  pro- 
perty and  liberty.  The  restraints  laid  on  com* 
merce  by  the  British  parliament,  although  the 
object  of  complaint  aiid  remonstrance,  more  es- 
pecially in  Virginia,  were  at  length  silently  acqui- 
esced in  ;  and  intelligent  men  every  where  began 
to  regard  them  as  necessary  evils  incident  to  our 
condition  as  men,  but  not  in  themselves  of  suffi- 
cient magnitude  to  lessen  the  gratitude  of  the 
people  for  the  great  and  positive  blessings  they  en- 
jrycd  under  their  free  forms  of  government. — 
The  navigation  act,  although  it  partially  affected 
the  trade  of  the  colonists  ;  although  it  formerly 
had  disappointed  tneir  hopes  and  excited  their 
disgust,  began  to  be  universally  regarded  as  the 
foundation  of  the  great  naval  and  commercial  su- 
periority ofBiitdin,  and  a  full  share  of  this  prospe- 
rity, it  was  btlieved,  would  be  reflected  on  her 
offspring. 

BUT  the  people  in  the  midst  of  this  zeal  and 
attachment,  had  invariably  denied  the  right  of 
pailia men t  by  any  laws  of  that  body,  to  raise  any 
revenue  within  the  colonies,  and  insisted  that  the 
design  and  aim  of  the  commercial  provisions  of 
the  navigation  act,  were  solely  for  the  regulation 
of  trade  ;  so  that  the  productions  of  those  colo- 
nies should  center  in  the  mother  country,  and 
foreigners  be  excluded  from  all  benefits  of  trade 
or  iijterc.oxnse  with  them  :  And  even  this  prefer- 
ence was  supposed  to  be  founded  on  the  great 
labour  and  expence  incurred  b)  the  mother  coun- 
try, in  found  ing  and  establishing  the  colonies. — * 
We  find  that  tt  e  legislature  of  Virginia,  so  early 
as  the  year  1624,  asserted  it  was  their  undoubted 
right  alqne,  "  to  lay  taxes  and  impositions,  and 
none  other."  We  *.ee  them  again  refusing  to  admit 
an)  members  of  council  to  assist  them  indetermin- 


VIRGINIA.  2£ 

ing  the  sum  of  the  public  levy,  notwithstanding    CHAP. 
the  solicitation  of  their  great  idol  sirW.  Berkeley. 

THE  matter  is  put  beyond  all  doubt,  by  tiie 
arguments  of  the  colony's  agents  and  those  of  the 
ero\vn  in  1676,  when  they  solicited  a  charter. 
They  there  positively  assert  their  sole  depend- 
ance  on  the  king  and  the  crown  of  England,  that 
thty  are  not  to  be  charged  or  taxed  but  by  their  own 
consent.  "  T/iey  state  that  neither  ms  majesty 
nor  any  of  his  ancestors  or  predecessors,  have  ever 
offered  to  impose  any  tax  upon  this  plan  .-at  ion, 
•without  the  consent  of  his  subjects  there,  nor"  they 
add  4i  upon  any  other  plantation,  however,  so 
much  less  deserving  or  considerable  to  his  crown. 
New  England,  Maryland,  Barbudoes,  &c.  are  not 
taxed,  but  by  their  own  consent."  When  the 
agents  of  the  crown  object  that  this  form  of  go- 
vernment ivi/l  look  like  a  parliament,  they  reply 
that  it  had  been  the  course  tor  fifty  years,  and  tuil 
been  productive  of  great  prosperity  and  happiness  ; 
that  they  had  been  established  and  incorporated 
by  royal  charter,  without  any  agency  of  parlia- 
ment ;  that  for  a  long  time  they  had  been  govern- 
ed by  the  king's  instructions  alone,  and  had  al- 
ways considered  themselves  as  dependent  on  the 
crown  of  England  ;  that  the  king's  power  of  nega- 
tiving their  laws  was  an  evidence  of  the  absolute 
independence  of  the  colonial  legislatures  on  the 
British  parliament,  and  of  their  consequent  de- 
pendence on  the  crown. 

THIS  correspondence  abounds  with  assertions 
of  right  equally  strong  and  explicit.  It  contains 
one  declaration,  however,  which  so  far  as  it  res- 
pects this  opinion  will  decide  the  question  for  ever. 
They  demand  that  no  manner  01  impositions  or 
taxes  shall  be  laid  or  imposed  on  the  inhabitants 
or  proprietors  there,  but  b}  the  .'  o  union  consent 
of  the  governor,  council  and  burg-bses,  as  haih 


HISTORY  O? 

heretofore  been  used;  "  provided  that  this  conces- 
sion be  no  bar  to  any  imposition  that  may  be  laid 
by  act  of  parliament,  on  the  commodhics  which 
may  come  from  that  country."  Here  at  one  single 
point  is  a  view  of  the  whole  ground,  and  volumes 
could  not  make  it  clearer.  Here  is  the  plain  dis- 
tinction between  internal  and  external  taxation «, 
about  which  so  much  has  been  said,  and  1  will 
venture  to  affirm  that  it  is  the  earliest,  strongest, 
and  most  explicit  assertion  and  explanation  of  this 
right,  to  be  found  in  the  records  of  the  colonies.* 
What  is  the  more  extraordinary,  the  king  approv- 
ed the  report  of  the  ?  gents,  and  directed  the  at- 
torney general  "  to  prepare  a  bill  for  his  majesty's 
signature,  in  order  to  the  passing  of  letters  patent 
for  the  grand  settlement  and  confirmation  of  all 
things  according  to  the  direction  of  said  report," 
&c. 

IT  is  manifest  from  the  language  of  this  report, 
that  the  co.ony  had  in  view  the  navigation  act, 
which  had  been  in  operation  several  years,  and  that 
by  admitting  the  right  of  the  British  parliament 
to  tax  the  commodities  of  the  colonies  in  England, 
they  excluded  them  from  all  other  right  or  autho- 
rity whatsoever,  and  this  not  by  inference)  but  by 
the  plainest  and  most  absolute  denial. 

TH  ERE  are  certainly  some  facts  that  would  seem 
to  defeat  this  opinion.  The  judges  of  Massachu- 
setts had  determined  that  the  colonies  were  bound 
by  acts  of  parliament,  which  concerned  them,  and 
the  general  court  in  a  short  time  after  gave  an 


*  Mr.  Marshall  mentions  a  declaration  of  the  assembly 
of  Massachusetts,  and  one  of  the  New-York  assembly  in  the 
year  1692,  as  uncommon  proofs  of  the  firmness  and  intelli- 
gence of  those  states.  He  little  dreamed  that  his  native  state 
had  near  twenty  years  before,  advanced  the  same  doctrine 
in  language  more  strong  and  impressive. 


VIRGINIA.  23; 

ress  sanction  to  this  doctrine.  The  British  c^p- 
parliament  too  in  the  assertion  of  its  authority 
against  the  pretensions  of  the  Massachusetts  and 
IM.  York  legislatures,  declared  "  that  all  laws,  bye 
laws,  usages  and  customs,  which  shall  be  in  prac- 
tice in  any  of  the  plantations  repugnant  to  any  law 
made  or  to  be  made  in  this  kingdom  relative  to 
the  said  plantations,  shall  be  void  and  of  none  ef- 
fect." Three  years  afterwards,  they  passed  an  act 
still  stronger,  and  more  absurd  for  the  trial  of  pi- 
rates in  America.  In  this  a  forfeiture  of  the  char- 
ters is  denounced/  as  the  penalty  of  the  governor 
or  other  officers  refusing  obedience  to  its  provisi- 
ons. But  an  acquiescence  under  the  claims  of 
the  British  parliament  to  general  legislation,  was 
thought  oflittle  consequence,  after  having  effectu- 
ally secured  the  great  principle  of  taxation  against 
all  external  interference.  Their  charters  had  ex- 
pressly declared  that  the  colonial  laws  "  must  not 
be  repugnant  to  the  hws  of  England  ;"  the  par- 
liament were  the  organs  of  English  laws  ;  it  seem- 
ed to  follow  therefore  with  the  absolute  truth  of  a 
regui  ';ysni,  that  all  the  laws  enacted  by  this 

must  be  binding  on  them,  save  such  as  went 
to  the  assessment  and  levying  of  taxes,  and  these 
were  excepted  only  by  special  provision. 

IT  was  thought  no  exception  to  this  rule,  that 
a  general  post-office  was  established  in  1710  ;  it 
was  looked  on  as  au  useful  establishment,  which 
by  facilitating  the  intercourse  between  the  colo- 
nies and  the  mother  country,  would  conduce 
to  a  greater  dispatch  and  order  in  commercial 
proceeding:;.  The  monies  paid  were  regarded 
as  a  compensation  for  services  rendered,  and 
its  use  was  entirely  voluntary.  Even  the  act 
of  the  6th  George  the  2d,  imnosine  duties  oa  fo- 

O  '  j.  O 

reign  rum,  molasses,  &c.  had  given  no  uneasi- 
ness, because  there  was  no  apparent  design  of  rais- 


235  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     ing  a  revenue,  and  no  mention  of  any  appropr!^ 
IV-    ,.  tion  of  its  produce. 

THE  project  of  Keith  in  conjunction  with  some 
merchants  of  Philadelphia,  for  raising  a  revenue 
within  the  colonies,  has  already  been  spoken  of: 
but  that  measure  which  was  considered  too  ha- 
zardous to  be  touched  and  too  profligate  to  be  at- 
tempted  even  by  the  corrupt  Walpole,  the  most 
distant  idea  of  which  had  never  suggested  itself 
during  a  regular  succession  of  tyrants,  and  a  com- 
plication of  national  burdens  and  distress,  was  em- 
braced, at  the  close  of  a  war,  which,  guided  by 
the  genius  of  Chatham,  had  on  every  ocean  and 
on  every  climate,  raised  imperishable  trophies  to 
British  valor. 

BUT  tint  excentric  orb.  xvhose  ray  shed  happi- 
ness and  glory  on  England,  and  disgrace  and  dis- 
asters on  her  enemies,  had  suffered  a  partial  eclipse. 
The  false  glitter  of  royal  honours,  had  been  artful- 
ly thrown  over  it  for  the  purpose  of  shrouding  its 
glories,  and  obscuring  its  brightness  ;  whilst  the 
foul  birds  of  corruption  Bitted  in  its  twilight,  and 
their  funeral  screams  boded  disasters  and  death.* 

THE  situation  of  England  at  this  time  would 
seem  to  justify  the  melancholy  observation,  that 
nations  like  individuals  have  their  periods  of  sani- 
ty and  vigor  ;  of  decay  and  dissolution.  She  had 
reached  her  acme.  She  had  shone  out  among  na- 
tions like  a  sun  amidst  the  lesser  stars :  But  now  by 
an  overruling  and  inevitable  destiny,  she  appeared 
to  be  ready  to  tumble  from  the  dazzling  height  to 
which  she  had  been  elevated  by  the  combinations 
of  genius  ;  a  full  not  slow  and  gradual  like  her  as- 
cent, but  with  the  portentous  rapidity  of  a  falling 


*He  had  been  artfully  pensioned  by  Lord  Bute,  and  the  ho- 
nors of  nobility  were  entailed  on  his  descendants. 


VIRGINIA,  43 

sphere  forcibly  propelled  and  dragged  to  its  cen-      CHAP, 
tre  of  gravity. 

the  conclusion  of  every  war,  in  which  for  " 
die  last  century,  Britain  had  been  engaged,  are- 
c' action  of  the  revenue  particularly,  the  land  tax, 
had  been  always  regarded  as  a  politic  and  neces- 
sary sacrifice  to  the  avarice  of  the  landed  interest. 
It  mattered  not  through  how  many  regions  ra- 
pacity had  extended  its  vulture  eye  and  iron  beak, 
provided  these  children  of  the  earth  were  secured 
in  their  feudal  immunities.  It  might  traffic  in  the 
blood  of  the  sun  burnt  children  of  Africa ;  it  might 
scatter  plague,  war,  pestilence,  and  famine  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ganges,  and  drench  its  verdant  fields 
with  the  innocent  blood  of  Rajahs  and  Bramins ; 
groans  might  issue  from  the  forge  and  the  loom, 
from  the  workshop  and  the  counting  room,  from  the 
hospital  and  the  highway,  where  naked  and  shiver- 
ing famine  arraigns  providence  for  the  misfortunes 
arising  from  the  ambition  of  ministers  and  kings. 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor  exhibit 
nothing  worthy  the  sympathy  of  courtiers. 

IN  that  stupendous  fabric  of  human  invention, 
the  management  of  parliament  is  the  primary  ob- 
ject of  ministerial  attention.  The  members  of 
boroughs  are  with  few  exceptions  returned  by  the 
lords,  and  form  a  close  and  mercenary  phaia-ix, 
ready  armed  at  all  points,  save  the  head,  to  fight  the 
battles  of  the  minister.  The  representatives  of 
towns  are  vaiiously  disposed  according  to  the  ig- 
norance or  sagacity  or  interests  o!  comme.'ce.  The 
country  gentlemen  form  theon-y  natural  rampart 
against  the  encroachments  of  power  ;  but  this 
b';dy  had  rarely  tvirtiny  fixed  principles  of  action 
or  opinion  ;  alternately,  whigs  and  tories,  always 
high  churchmen  ;  advocates  of  high  handed 
measures  in  church  and  state,  entertaining  a  lofty 
opinion  of  themselves,  and  a  silly  contempt  for 


288  HIRTORY  OF 

CHAP,     the  rest  of  the  world  ;  agreeing  in  no  point  of  the 
IV-       compass,   with  the  nation,  but  a  willingness  to 
"  grant  the  money  of  all  other  classes  of  society  and 
a  repugnance  to  contribute  a  shilling  of  their  own  : 
They  exhibit   a    motley  group  of  inconsisten- 
cies, not  enlivened  or  relieved  by  a  single  good 
quality,  save  their  blunt  unceremonious  sincerity, 
and  their  generous  and  profuse  hospitality. 

THE  reductions  which  had  already  taken  place 
in  the  national  imposts  were  fur  below  the  stand- 
ard of  the  peace  establishment  at  the  treaty  of  Aix- 
la-Chapelle :  and  the  immense  interest  of  an  in- 
creased national  debt,  demanded  larger  supplies 
to  meet  the  ordinary  expenditure.  Every  source  of 
revenue  had  already  been  exhausted,  and  neither 
tv.e  ingenuity  of  government,  nor  the  patience  of 
the  people,  could  admit  any  new  additions  to  the 
accumulated  n  ass  of  national  burdens. 

IN  this  exigence  the  minister  threw  his  eye 
over  the  map  of  British  empire,  and  North- A  me 
rica  presented  her  rich  plains  and  her  success- 
ful industry,  as  }et  unexhausted  by  the  ve- 
nality of  courtiers,  copious  sources  for  future 
corruption. 

THE  obscurity  in  which  the  rights  of  the  Bri* 
tish  colomes  and  authority  of  the  parent  state,  had 
been  hitherto  involved,  was  favorable  to  the  ad- 
vancement  of  the  present  pretensions.  Their  ex- 
act limits  had  never  been  ascertained,  and  no  cri. 
sis  had  ever  occurred  in  the  anals  of  the  empire 
where  the  publieexigency  more  urgently  demand- 
ed the  aid  and  contributions  of  all  classes  of  sub- 
jects. 

THE  In  riaken  the  world  to  its  cen- 

tre, and  victorious  Britain  in  the  midst  of  her 
successes,  found  herself,  by  her  enormous  expen- 
ditures and  the  lr  ;  embarrassments  inci- 
dent to  war,  ontht  brink  of  bankruptcy.  T 


VIRGINIA;  28 

vrar,  too,  originated  in  a  paternal  regard  for  the  CHAP. 
colonies,  whose  territories  had  been  invaded,  and 
their  very  existence  menaced  by  a  powerful  and 
ambitious  nation.  To  enforce  the  just  rights  of 
her  children,  the  fleets  and  armies  of  Britain, 
animated  and  confirmed  by  her  magnanimous  mi- 
nister, carried  the  British  thunder  across  the  At- 
lantic, and  into  the  heart  of  the  wilderness,  and 
in  conjunction  with  provincial  troops,  had  pros- 
trated  the  colossal  power  and  ambition  of  France 
in  that  vast  country.  America  was  not  insensi- 
ble to  these  glorious  services  :  She  had  often 
acknowledged  them  with  grateful  affection,  and 
she  could  not  and  would  not  object  to  contri- 
bute to  the  relief  of  the  venerable  parent  who 
had  watched  over  her  infancy,  and  who  had 
shielded  her  adolescence  with  the  aegis  of  valour 
and  wisdom. 

SUCH  were  the  arguments  by  which  plans  of 
pillage  and  schemes  of  confiscation  were  sancti- 
fied, and  whilst  the  imaginations  of  the  mad  pro- 
jectors  brooded  over  the  hoards  of  gold  to  be  col- 
lected by  collectors  and  tax  gatherers  from  the 
plunder  of  cities  and  provinces,  constitutional 
law,  as  well  as  natural  right,  were  forgotten. 

IT  should  be  recollected  that  the  boasted 
defence  of  North- America  by  Britain,  was  the 
defence  of  her  own  trade,  wealth,  revenues, 
and  sovereignty,  and  it  seemed  no  extraordi- 
nary effort  of  generosity,  to  fight  for  objects 
so  essential  to  h,r:  own  interest.  Beside ;  the 
colonists  had  gallantly  seconded  her  efforts,  and 
their  treasures  and  their  best  blood  had  been 
prodigally  wasted  in  the  common  cause.  The 
immense  profits  of  their  adventurous  commerce 
were  divided  amongst  court  favourites  and  mi- 
aions,  who  "  toil  not,  neither  do  they  spin, 
2N 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
IV. 


yet  are  greater  than  Solomon  in  all  his  glory.  >» 
They  had  often,  too,  by  their  valour  saved  the 
regular  troops  from  extermination,  and  averted 
those  fatal  consequences,  which  were  to  be  ap- 
prehended from  the  incapacity  of  the  cabinet  and 
the  blind  presumption  of  the  officers  they  had  ap- 
pointed to  execute  their  rash  and  ill-advised  pro- 
jects. 

BUT  these  considerations,  however  solid,  had 
no  \\  tight.  Resolute  in  their  plans,  they  looked 
only  to  one  side  of  the  subject,  and  regarded  as  a 
pernicious  and  v  icked  heresy  any  attempt  to  de- 
ny their  right,  or  even  to  doubt  their  authority. 

PURSUANT  to  this  opinion,  several  resolutions 
passed  in  the  commons  at  the  instance  of  the  mi- 
nister, imposing  new  duties  on  foreign  goods  im- 
poited  into  the  British  colonies  in  America. 
These  acts,  although  of  a  tendency  to  wound 
the  interest  of  the  colonies,  being  regarded  as 
matters  of  mere  regulation,  attracted  no  particu- 
lar attention  in  parliament.  But  it  soon  appeared 
that  these  acts  were  intended  to  cover  designs  of  a 
more  fatal  and  formidable  import.  In  introducing 
this  project,  even  the  minister  paused,  as  if  ap- 
palled b)  a  presentiment  of  the  calamities  with 
which  it  was  fraught.  His  resolution  was  merely 
declaratory,  "  that  it  would  be  proper  to  impose 
certain  stamp  duties  in  the  said  colonies  and  plan, 
tations,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  an  American 
revenue,  payable  into  the  British  exchequer." 

THE  execution  of  this  project,  by  reason  of 
its  declared  importance,  was  adjourned  until  the 
ensuing  year;  and  time  was  thus  afforded  to  the 
good  genius  of  the-  country  to  step  in  and  arrest 
its  fatal  and  destructive  progress. 

FAR  different  was  its  reception  in  that  country 
which  was  the  immediate  object  of  this  operation. 
The  declaratory  resolution  was  a  phenomenon 


VIRGINIA.  291 

that  immediately  attracted  every  eye  and  filled 
ever}7  bosom  \vith  apprehension ;  animated  by 
the  collision  of  opinion,  discussion  walked  ceemtis  n 
abroad  with  the  port  and  stature  of  eloquence,  America, 
and  the  feature  and  countenance  of  conviction. 
Nor  was  the  public  attention  exclusively  confined 
to  the  declaratory  resolution  :  It  passed  by  a  na- 
tural transition  to  the  additional  duties,  which 
from  the  matter  of  the  regulations,  as  well  as  the 
obnoxious  mode  adopted  for  their  enforcement 
and  execution,  was  regarded  as  a  severe  and  in- 
tolerable hardship. 

A  LUCRATIVE  traffic  had  been  carried  on, 
particularly  by  the  northern  colonies,  with  the 
French  and  Spanish  colonies,  the  duties  on  which 
having  been  justly  regarded  as  inimical  to  the 
true  interests  of  commerce,  had  been  winked  at 
by  the  government.  It  was  known  that  a  consi- 
derable portion  of  the  current  specie  of  the  co- 
lonies was  procured  from  these  sources,  and  th-.it 
the  greatest  part  of  it  would  ultimately  find  its 
way  into  Britain  in  discharge  of  their  mercan- 
tile engagements.  Of  this  trade,  so  necessary 
to  the  credit  of  the  colonies,  so  profitable  to  the 
mother  country,  the  additional  duties  would 
amount  to  an  absolute  prohibition ;  and  if  as  here- 
tofore>  they  attempted  to  evade  the  payment  of 
duties  so  justly  obnoxious,  it  was  necessary  to 
encounter  rthe  rigorous  scrutiny  of  a  swarm  of 
revenue  officers,  whose  interest  was  intimately 
connected  with  their  vigilance  and  severity,  and 
to  pass  through  a  variety  of  forms  so  complex 
and  distressing  as  to  render  this  trade,  formerly 
so  lucrative,  an  object  of  indifference. 

BUT  the  declaratory  resolution  was  justly  con- 
sidered  as  the  main  object  of  public  attention. 
In  it,  was  involved  the  constitutional  question, 
and  as  the  decision  would  equally  affect  tiie  royal 


92  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  and  proprietary  governments,  the  barriers  whicl 
local  prejudices  and  commercial  competition  had 
erected,  instantly  tumbled  down,  and  the  American 
people  entered  at  once  into  one  vast  arena  for  the 
purpose  of  mutual  defence  arid  national  concert 

FROM  this  moment  the  history  of  one  province 
is  the  history  of  all,  unless  the  historian  chooses 
to  become  the  frigid  annalist  of  partial  events, 
when  he  is  surrounded  by  the  most  brilliant  phe- 
nomena, and  walks  in  the  midst  of  actions  which 
shake  the  world  to  its  centre. 

SEVERAL  of  the  provincial  legislatures  trans- 
mitted petitions  to  the  king,  and  memorials  to 
both  houses  of  parliament,  couched  in  respectful 
but  animated  terms,  against  the  projected  sta- 
tute. The  assembly  of  Massachusetts  instructed 
their  agent  in  London  not  only  to  protest  against 
the  passage  of  the  stamp  act,  or  any  other  act  of 
a  similar  nature,  but  to  solicit  the  repeal  of  the 
obnoxious  duties,  on  the  ground  of  their  being 
eminently  prejudicial  to  the  true  interests  of  the 
colonies  and  the  mother  country.  Private  asso- 
ciations were  formed  at  the  same  time  in  various 
places,  with  the  view  of  diminishing  the  use  of 
British  and  encouraging  that  of  American  manu- 
factures. 

THE  administration  having  unexpectedly  en- 
countered this  alarming  opposition,  attempted 
to  gain  the  object  by  means  less  calculated  to  ex- 
cite offence  and  alarm,  but  which  should  be 
equally  decisive  of  the  principle  contended  for, 
and  which  might  afterwards  be  brought  into  a 
precedent.  With  this  view  the  agents  of  the  co- 
lonies in  London  were  informed  that  they  were  at 
liberty  of  adopting  any  other  mode  more  agreeable 
for  raising  the  sum  demanded.*  It  was  also  pro- 

*  ioo,ooo/. 


VIRGINIA.  203 

posed  that  they  would  be  permitted  to  plead  nt     CHAP, 
the  bar  of  the  house  by  counsel,  contrary  to  the  r^~Si- 
usual  parliamentary   practice,  against  the  tax  in  Cond;- 
behalf   of  their  respective  colonies ;    but  these  the  n 
pretended  concessions  \vere   spurned  at  by   the  strjr* 
agents  as  derogatory  to  the  rights  and  honour  of 
the  colonies,    who  would  not  on  this  occasion 
petition  but  protest.   It  was  urged  by  them  that 
the  claim  of  England  was  not  only  lt  absolutely 
novel,  but  diametrically  opposite  to  the  spirit  and 
letter  of  the   English    constitution,    which   has 
estabii-  a  fundamental  axiom,  that  taxa- 

tion is  inseparably  attached  to  representation  ; 
that  as  the  colonies  were  not,  and  from  local  and 
political  obstacles  could  not,  be  represented  in 
the  British  parliament,  it  would  be  of  the  very 
essence  of  tyranny  to  attempt  to  exercise  an  an- 
thority  over  them,  which  from  its  very  nature 
must  lead  to  gross  and  inevitable  abuse.  For 
when  Great  Britain  was  in  full  possession  of  t 
power  now  contended  for.  could  it  possibly  be 
imagined,  when  a  sum  of  money  for  the  supply 
of  the  exigencies  of  government  was  wanting, 
that  the  British  parliament  would  not  rather 
choose  to  vote  that  it  should  be  paid  by  the  colo- 
nists thin  1  ives  and  their  constituents  ? 
"  IN  reply  to  the  argument  which  stated  as 
highly  reasonable,  that  America  shov.  ^ri- 
bute  her  proportion  to  the  general  expense  of  the 
empire,  it  was  said,  "  that  America  had  never 
been  deficient  in  contributing,  at  the  constituti- 
onal requisition  of  the  crown,  in  her  r  TTI- 
blies,  to  the  utmost  of  her  ability,  towards  the 
expenses  of  the  wars  in  which  conjointly  with 
England  she  had  been  involved  ;  that,  in  the 
course  of  the  last  memorable  contest,  large  sums 
had  been  repeatedly  voted  by  parliament,  as  an 
indemnification  to  the  colonies 


HISTORY  OF 

which  were  allowed  to  be  disproportionate  to 
their  means  and  resources  ;  that  the  proper  com- 
pensation to  Britain  for  the  expense  of  rearing 
and  protecting  her  colonies  was  the  monopoly 
of  this  trade,  the  absolute  direction  and  regu- 
lation of  which  was  universally  acknowledged 
to  be  inherent  in  the  British  legislature."  It 
was,  however,  clearly  intimated  that  a  specific 
sum,  in  lieu  of  all  other  claims,  nrght  be  ob- 
tained from  the  colonies,  if  accepted  as  a  vo- 
luntary offering,  not  as  a  revenue  extorted  by  ty- 
rannical and  lawless  force,  which  left  them  no 
merit  in  giving,  and  which  might  ultimately 
leave  them  nothing  to  give. 

THE  argument  or  pretext  which  appeared  to 
excite  most  indignation  in  the  breast  of  the 
Americans  and  of  their  advocates,  was  that  which 
affected  to  deem  them  already  represented ;  and 
as  being,  if  not  actually,  yet  virtually  included 
in  the  general  system  of  representation,  in  the 
same  manner  as  that  very  large  proportion  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  British  island  who  have  no 
votes  in  the  election  of  members  or  repre- 
sentatives in  the  British  parliament.  "  The  ve- 
ry essence  of  representation,*  said  America, 
:t  consists  in  this,  that  the  representative  is  him- 
self placed  in  a  situation  annlagous  to  those 
whom  he  represents,  so  that  he  shall  be  himself 
bound  by  the  laws  which  he  is  entrusted  to  enact, 
and  liable  to  the  taxes  which  he  is  authorised  to 
"impose.  This  is  precisely  the  case  with  regard 
to  the  national  representation  of  Britain.  Those 
who  do,  and  those  who  do  not  elect,  together 
with  the  elected  body  themselves,  arc,  m  re- 
spect to  this  grand  and  indispensable  requisite, 


f>  either  m. 


VIRGINIA.  295 

upon  a  perfect  equality  ;  that  the  laws  made  and     CHAP. 

the   taxes  imposed  extend  alike  to  all.     Whtre ^ 

then  in  this  case  is  the  danger  of  oppression,  or  " 
where   the  inducement  to   oppress?  But  in  the 
case  of  American  taxation,,  these  mock  represent- 
atives actually   relieve   themselves    in    the  very 
same  proportion  that   they  burden  those  whom 
they  ialsely  and  ridiculously  pretend  to  repre- 
sent.    Where  then  in  this  case  is  the  security 
against  oppression  ?  or  where  is  the  man  so  weak 
and  prejudiced  as  not  to  sec  the  irresistible  ten-  Arguments 
dency  of  this  system  to  oppression,  however  ho-  of  colonists 
nest  and  upright  candour  would  represent  the  in-  ^?tainst  lh 
tentions  of  those  by   whom  it  should  be  origi- 
nally established  ?" 

BUT  these  arguments,  clear  and  convincing  as 
they  must  appear  at  this  day,  produced  not  the 
slightest  change  in  the  determination  of  minis- 
ters ;  and  the  parliament,  which  had  been  con- 
vened at  the  usual  period  of  the  ensuing  winter, 
having  first  unanimously  concurred  in  refusing 
to  hear  any  memorials  from  the  colonies  that 
questioned  their  jurisdiction,  passed  into  a  law 
the  famous  stamp  act  by  large  majorities,  and  it 
immediately  after  received  the  royal  assent. 

THIS  act,  although  carried  by  triumphant  ma- 
jorities, was  assailed  by  an  ardour  and  eloquence 
uncommonly  resplendent  and  animated.  The 
right  indeed  was  questioned  but  in  a  single  in- 
stance ;  the  virtuous  name  of  Con  way,  however, 
rendered  this  simple  protest  respectable.  Its  in- 
justice and  inexpedience  became  the  themes  of 
more  elevated  and  copious  declamation. 

COLONEL  BARRE,  a  speaker  of  distinguished 
eminence,  in  reply  to  the  observation  of  Char: 
Tovvnshendon  the  ingratitude  of  the  Americans, 
where  he  calls  them  children  planted  by  our  care 
and  nourished  by  our  indulgence,  broke  out  into 


296  HISTORY  OF 

the  following  lofty  strain  of  indignant  eloquence ; 
li  Children  planted  by  your  care!  No!  your  op- 
pression planted  them  in  America.  They  fled 
from  your  tyranny  into  a  then  uncultivated  land, 
where  they  were  exposed  to  all  the  hardships 
to  which  human  nature  is  liable,  and  among 
others,  to  the  savage  cruelty  of  the  enemy  of 
the  country,  a  people  the  most  subtle,  and,  I 
will  take  upon  me  to  say,  the  most  terrible  that 
ever  inhabited  any  part  of  God's  earth.  And  yet, 
actuated  by  principles  of  true  English  liberty, 
they  met  all  these  hardships  with  pleasure,  com- 
pared  with  those  they  suffered  in  their  own  coun- 
iry  from  those  who  should  have  been  their  friends. 
"  They  nourished  by  your  indulgence!"  *  No! 
they  grew  by  your  neglect.  When  you  began  to 
care  about  them,  that  care  was  exercised  in  send- 
ing persons  to  rule  over  them,  who  were  the  de- 
puties of  some  deputy  sent  to  spy  out  their  li- 
berty, to  misrepresent  their  actions,  and  to  prey 
upon  them  :  Men,  whose  behaviour  on  many  oc- 
casions has  caused  the  blood  of  those  sons  of  li- 
berty to  recoil  within  them :  Men  promoted  to 
the  highest  seats  of  justice,  some  of  whom  were 
glad,  by  going  to  a  foreign  country,  to  escape 
being  brought  to  the  bar  of  justice  in  their  own. 
'  ^1  hey  protected  by  your  attns  !"  "  They  have 
nobly  taken  up  arms  in  your  defence ;  have  ex- 
erted their  valour,  amidst  their  constant  and  la- 
borious industry,  for  the  defence  of  a  country, 
the  interiour  of  \\hich,  while  its  frontiers  were 
drenched  in  blood,  hr.s  yielded  all  its  little  sav- 
:o  3*011  r  enlargement.  Hellene  me — remember ; 
I  t/iis  doy  told  you  so  ;  tJic  same  spirit  which  ac- 
tuated that  people  at  first ,  still  continues  with 
t/t  c n  :  l;ut  prudence  foi  bids  me  to  explain  myself 
further.  God  knows,  I  do  not  at  this  time  speak 
frcni  party  heat.  However  superior  to  me  in  ge^ 


VIRGINIA,  297 

nerai  knowledge  and  experience  any  one  here  may  CHAP. 
be,  I  claim  to  know  more  of  America,  having 
seen  and  been  conversant  in  that  country.  The 
people  there  are  as  truly  loyal,  I  believe,  as  any 
subjects  the  king  has ;  but  a  people  jealous  of 
their  liberties,  and  who  will  vindicate  them  if 
they  should  be  violated  :  But  the  subject  is  de- 
licate— 1  will  say  no  more." 

IN  America  this  opposition  to  the  statute  was 
of  a  more  perilous  and  awful  nature.  Roused 
by  the  declared  intention  of  parliament  to  tax  the 
colonies,  the  people  passed  rapidly  from  appre- 
hension to  resentment ;  from  resentment  to  rage 
and  indignation.  A  hope,  however,  generally 
prevailed  that  the  obnoxious  declaration  would 
not  be  able  to  stand  its  ground  against  the  unani- 
mous protest  of  the  American  people.  In  this 
state  of  gloomy  suspense,  public  sentiment  rest- 
ed like  a  cloud  highly  charged  with  electric  mat- 
ter, and  from  whose  sides  the  slightest  agitation 
would  elicit  the  thunder  and  forked  lightening. 

THE  passage  of  this  hateful  statute  burst  at 
once  the  dark  and  portentous  cloud  which  for 
some  time  had  been  collecting  there,  into  the 
most  violent  expressions  of  rage  and  indignation. 
The  vessels  in  the  harbour  of  Boston  hung  out 
their  colours  half  mast  high  as  an  emblem  of  the 
public  distress,  and  the  most  gloomy  determina- 
tion. It  was  the  emblem  of  death  and  spoke 
more  forcibly  than  words,  the  most  fearful  despe- 
ration. ,  Muffled  bells,  by  their  hollow  sounds 
and  tedious  pauses,  tended  still  farther  to  keep 
alive  these  funereal  associations.  Sensations  like 
these  rendered  the  soul  familiar  with  images  of 
death,  and  insensibly  raised  it  into  the  region  of 
terror  and  sublimity.  Every  object  that  met  the 
senses  nourished  those  impressions.  Their  wives 
2O 


298  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  and  children  and  parents  were  threatened  with 
unmerited  injuries  ;  with  slavery,  ten  thousand 
times  worse  than  death. 

THE  act  itself,  the  hated  instrument  of  so  many 
calamities,  was  seized  on  the  first  moment  of  its 
appearance,  and  burnt  by  the  populace  with  the 
effigies  of  its  most  active  supporters.  4 '  The  mas- 
ters of  those  vessels  which  had  conveyed  the 
stamps  to  America  were  compelled  to  deliver  up 
their  execrated  cargoes  to  an  enraged  multitude, 
\vho  treated  them  with  the  same  ignominy  which 
the  act  itself  had  experienced.  Those  who  had 
accepted  commissions  to  act  as  distributors  of 
stamps,  were  forced  by  public  oath  to  renounce 
all  concern  in  them  at  this  or  any  future  juncture ; 
and  in  some  instances  the  houses  of  those  who 
were  most  obnoxious  were  demolished,  and  their 
effects  plundered  or  destroyed.  The  justices  of 
the  peace  in  many  parts  gave  public  notice,  that 
they  would  never  by  acting  in  that  Capacity,  be 
instrumental  to  the  subversion  of  their  country's 
liberties ;  the  gentlemen  also  of  the  law,  fired  by 
the  same  patriotic  enthusiasm,  universally  re- 
nounced, in  the  exeicise  of  their  profession,  the 
use  of  the  British  stamps.  But  the  most  alarm- 
ing  opposition  was  made  by  the  merchants,  who 
entered  into  solemn  engagements  not  to  import 
any  more  goods  from  Great  Britain  till  the  stamp 
act  was  repealed.  By  the  first  of  November, 
(1765),  the  day  on  which  the  act  was  to  take 
place,  not  a  sheet  of  stamped  paper  was  to  be 
found  throughout  the  colonies  ;  so  that  all  busi- 
ness which  could  not  be  legally  carried  on  with- 
out stamps  was  entirely  at  a  stand.  Every  where 
the  courts  of  justice  were  shut,  and  the  porU 
closed."* 

*  Eckham. 


VIRGINIA.  299 

DURING  these  tumults  not  the  slightest  exer-  CHAP, 
tion  was  made  by  the  colonial  governments  to  re-  _  ___ 
press  or  allay  the  public  ferment ;  nor  did  the 
least  apprehension  of  any  such  interference  exist 
among  the  people.  They  were  in  their  estima- 
tion sanctioned  by  God  and  the  constitution  of 
their  country ;  the  bands  that  had  heretofore  up- 
held the  edifice  of  government,  were  all  at  once 
snapt  by  the  brutal  violence  of  their  oppressors, 
and  it  would  have  been  equally  stupid  and  wicked 
in  them  to  have  waited  until  the  yoke  had  been 
fastened  on  their  necks :  They  had  the  approba- 
tion of  their  own  consciences,  and  of  every  thing 
that  was  dear  and  venerable  in  their  country. 

THE  assembly  of  Virginia  was  in  session  when 
the  passage  of  the  stamp  act  was  announced,  and 
their  proceedings  exhibited  a  noble  proof  of  their 
steady  adherence  to  the  maxims  of  their  ances- 
tors, and  their  ardour  in  the  cause  of  American 
liberty. 

IT  appears  that  notwithstanding  the  prevalence 
of  correct  opinions  on  politics  in  Virginia,  a 
strong  minority,  styling  themselves  the  friends  of 
government,  continued  to  keep  their  ground  in 
the  legislature.  This  party,  composed  in  gene- 
ral of  the  great  landed  proprietors,  by  acting  in 
concert  were  always  able  to  embarrass  and  some- 
times to  defeat  the  measures  oi  the  patriots. 
Disgusted  by  the  studied  delays  and  insidious  so- 
phistry of  this  class  during  the  preceding  session, 
Johnson  declared  his  intention  of  bringing  into  the 
assembly  Patrick  Henry,  a  young  lawyer  distin- 
guished alike  for  an  eloquence  copious  and  over- 
bearing, and  an  opposition  to  the  claims  of  the 
British  parliament  bordering  on  sedition.  Con- 
formably with  this  declaration,  the  seat  of  Mr. 
Johnson  was  purposely  vacated,  and  young  Hen- 
ry, by  the  influence  of  his  friend,  became  a 


300 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
IV. 


Patrick 
Henry. 


member  for  the  county  of  Louisa  in  the  assem- 
bly of  1765, 

So  many  of  the  succeeding  events  are  con- 
nected with  the  life  of  this  extraordinary  man, 
th\t  it  will  not  be  thought  unseasonable  to  notice 
some  of  the  steps  by  which  he  rose  from  obscu- 
rity to  public  estimation  and  consequence.  They 
will  throw  light  on  some  events,  which  have  been 
but  slightly  touched,  or  wholly  omitted  ;  and  will 
perhaps  illustrate  a  series  of  political  transactions, 
which  would  otherwise  be  with  difficulty  under- 
stood. 

PATRICK  HE  NRT,  the  son  of  a  Scotch  gentle* 
man  of  the  same  name,  was  born  in  the  county 
of  Hanover.  His  mother  was  a  Virginian  of  the 
respectable  family  of  the  Winstones,  whose 
standing  in  society,  added  to  the  learning  of  his 
father,  had  the  effect  of  securing  our  patriot  from 
those  vulgar  propensities  which,  owing  to  the 
vice  of  aristocratic  institutions,  are  but  too  often 
entailed  on  the  offspring  of  poverty. 

HE  soon  became  a  tolerable  proficient  in  the 
Latin  language,  and  in  the  elements  of  geogra- 
phy :  But  his  favourite  studies  were  the  history 
and  antiquities  of  his  native  state ;  and  so  strong 
was  the  determination  of  his  mind  to  objects  at 
this  time  little  known  or  attended  to,  that  at  an 
early  age  he  was  minutely  acquainted  with  the  va- 
rious grants  and  charters,  which  compose  the 
foundation  and  edifice  of  the  rights  and  preten- 
sions of  Virginia. 

O wi  N  c  to  the  security  arising  from  long  and 
uninterrupted  possession,  and  the  apprehensions 
excited  by  foreign  hostility,  these  rights  were 
but  imperfectly  understood,  and  to  his  superiour 
knowledge  in  topics  gradually  becoming  more  in- 
teresting, should  be  ascribed  in  a  great  measure 
the  high  and  deserved  reputation  he  afterward* 


VIRGINIA.  301 

acquired.  In  the  prosecution  of  these  studies  he 
had,  however,  co  encounter  long  and  habitual 
fits  of  indolence.  Whilst  these  lasted  he  was  wont 
to  solace  himself  with  the  charms  of  music,  to 
which  he  w,.s  passionately  devoted,  and  in  which 
he  was  no  mean  proficient.  But  the  dread  of 
dependence  and  the  ^pur  of  ambition,  at  length 
recalled  him  from  this  lethargy,  and  he  was  esta- 
blished by  the  advice  and  aid  of  his  family  in  a 
small  store*  in  his  native  county. 

IT  will  be  readily  imagined  that  propensities 
and  attainments  such  as  have  been  described,  were 
not  well  calculated  to  secure  commercial  emi- 
nence to  their  possessor.  Young  Henry  was  un- 
fortunate, and  acting  now  on  his  own  lessons  of 
a  short  but  useful  experience,  and  set  on  by  the 
workings  of  an  active  and  ardent  ambition,  he 
turned  hi*  eye  towards  the  profession  of  the  law, 
as  presenting  the  shortest  and  safest  road  to  ho- 
aolument.  He  found  the  less  difficul- 
ty in  gaining  the  approbation  of  his  friends  to 
this  project,  who  had  marked  for  some  in  com- 
mon with  his  acquaintance,  the  extraordinary 
prematurity  of  his  genius ;  and  after  a  single 
month's  study,  during  which  time  he  read  with 
attention  Coke  upon  Littleton  and  an  abridgement 
of  the  law  of  Virginia,  heobtainedalicer.se. 

His  first  essay  realized  the  partial  expectation 
of  his  friend  j.  On  every  occasion  where  acute- 
ness  of  thought,  a  grasp  and  originality  of  judg- 
ment and  fancy  were  called  for,  he  displayed 
powers  before  unknown  in  Virginia,  and  esta- 
blished beyond  dispute  his  great  superiority  over 
all  his  competitors.  In  close  and  compact  rea- 
soning; in  laborious  research;  in  scientific  at- 


*  Shap,  officina. 


302  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     tainmcnts,  he  had  many  equals,  and  some  supe- 
1V>       riors ;  but  in  the  forms  and  manner  of  eloquence 
he  was  superior  to  them  all. 

HITHERTO  his  talents  had  been  exerted  only 
in  cases  originating  in  private  litigation.  He  had 
never  measured  his  strength  with  any  great  pub- 
lic question,  where  the  soul  of  the  orator  commu- 
nicating its  fire  to  its  hearers  exhibits  the  splen- 
did phaenomena  of  popular  eloquence.  An  oc- 
casion like  this  was  wanting  for  his  display  of 
constitutional  law,  where  lay  his  principal  strengths 
To  this  his  wishes  were  constantly  directed,  un  - 
til  they  were  at  length  gratified  in  a  manner 
most  flattering  to  his  fame  and  fortune. 

THE  Assembly  of  Virginia  had  fixed  the  sala- 
ry of  her  ministers  of  religion  at  16,000  weight 
of  tobacco.  Owing  to  the  arts  of  an  extrava- 
gant speculator  of  the  name  of  Dickenson,  this 
commodity  rose  on  a  sudden  from  16s.  and  Sd. 
per  cwt.  to  50s.  and  a  law  was  immediately  enact- 
ed that  the  parishioners  might  pay  their  dues  to 
their  ministers  at  2d.  per  pound,  thereby  autho- 
rising them  to  save  themselves  the  difference  be- 
tween 16s.  and  8d.  and  50s. 

THIS  act,  styled  by  its  enemies  in  derision  the 
two-penny-act,  was  contested  by  the  clergy  with 
all  the  violence  which  has  invariably  distinguish- 
ed their  defence  of  their  own  privileges.  Camm, 
a  professor  of  William  and  Mary,  had  written 
a  pamphlet  against  it,  and  he,  with  several 
other  ministers  had  instituted  suits  against  their 
respective  vestries  for  the  recovery  of  those 
dues,  of  which  they  alledged  they  had  been  de- 
frauded contrary  to  law.  With  the  great  body  of 
the  people  the  act  was  popular,  and  from  this  we 
should  perhaps  infer  that  independent  of  any  ad- 
vantage they  might  derive  from  curtailing  their 
-Avenues,  they  were  secretly  pleased  with  an  oc- 


VIRGINIA,  $05 

oasion  cf  mortifying  a  class  of  men,   who  unfor-     CHAP. 

tunately  in  all  countries,  have  been  distinguished  IVV 

less  for  piety  and  forbearance  than  for  arrogance 
and  ambition. 

AMONGST  the  rest,  Mr.  Henry,  tke  uncle  of 
our  orator,  had  brought  suit  against  his  parish, 
and  had  retained  the  ablest  counsel  in  Virginia. 
The  nephew  was  engaged  by  the  vestry,  and  the 
court  was  crouded  at  an  early  hour  to  witness  the 
discussion  of  a  cause  that  had  produced  so  deep 
an  interest  and  so  wide  an  agitation.  Previous 
to  the  trial,  Mr.  Henry  suggested  to  his  nephew 
the  indecorum  and  gracelessness  of  his  appear* 
ance  against  the  brother  of  his  father.  It  was 
coolly  answered  by  the  young  advocate,  that  he 
was  without  fortune  or  patronage,  and  was  com- 
pelled to  rely  wholly  on  himself  for  advancement 
and  consideration ;  that  it  was  the  duty  of  his  fa- 
ther's  brother  to  have  sought  occasions  to  draw 
him  into  notice,  instead  of  which  he  had  con- 
fided his  cause  to  strangers  to  the  obvious  dispa- 
ragement and  slight  of  the  talents  of  his  nephew ; 
that  neglected  thus  by  his  nearest  relations,  he 
had  been  taken  up  by  the  people,  and  that  no  con- 
sideration should  induce  him  to  abandon  a  cause 
to  which  he  was  bound  equally  by  his  judgment 
and  inclination.  He  at  the  same  time  emphati- 
cally advised  his  uncle  to  go  home,  "  for,  said 
he,  you  will  hear  disagreeble  things.  I  think  I 
am  acquainted  with  this  cause,  and  with  the  bless- 
ing of  God  I  will  enforce  this  day  the  rights  of 
the  people,  and  expose  the  avarice  and  ambition 
of  the  priests :  I  know  them,  said  he ;  they  shall 
have  justice  done  this  day  upon  them."  Struck 
with  his  manner,  Mr.  Henry  took  the  advice  of 
his  nephew,  and  the  cause,  after  a  wonderful  dis- 
play of  constitutional  learning,  according  to  his 
prediction,  was  adjudged  in  favour  of  the  vestry. 


304  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  His  next  exhibition  was  before  the  committee 
of  privileges  and  elections,  in  the  disputed  elec- 
tion  between  col.  Syme,  his  half  bro'iur,  and 
col.  Richard  Littlepage.  The  great  right  of  suf- 
frage was  a  theme  still  better  suited  to  his  genius 
and  studies ;  a  theme,  however,  at  this  day  little 
talked  of,  and  less  understood.  1'n  the  hands  of 
any  other  man  in  Virginia  this  subject  would 
have  excited  little  curiosity,  and  have  probably 
passed  off  with  the  cold  formalities  usual  on  such 
occasions ;  but  the  name  of  denry  was  insensibly 
growing  into  celebrity,  and  the  members  crauded 
from  all  quarters  to  witness  the  phenomenon  of 
a  youth  in  a  plain  unfashionable  dress,  unassisted 
b\  fortune  or  patronage  aal  education,  defining 
with  accuracy  the  rights  of  the  people,  and  stt- 
ti.ng  bounds  to  the  authority  of  government; 
giving  interest  to  subjects  heretofore  supposed 
unsusceptible  of  embellishment ;  whilst  a  firm 
but  modest  consciousness  of  his  own  worth,  dif- 
fused over  his  whole  deportment,  inspired  his 
auditors  with  respect  alike  for  his  principles  and 
talents. 

MUCH  of  the  secret  of  Henry's  eloquence  'lay 
in  his  capacity,  more  perhaps  in  nis  manner:—**- 
Without  any  other  knowledge  of  scenic  repre- 
sentations, save  what  was  derived  from  books, 
his  manner  was  strikingly  dramatic.  His  eye 
was  piercing  and  expressive  ;  his  voice  sonorous 
and  flexible ;  his  gesture  bold  even  to  extrava- 
gance ;  his  manner,  which  may  be  likened  to  the 
actlo  of  the  antients,  gave  to  the  whole  a  harmo- 
ny, whose  effect  was  irresistible. 

BUT  the  time  was  approaching  when  he  would 
not  be  tied  down  to  the  drudgery  of  judicial  au- 
thorities, and  when  his  genius  would  enjoy  am- 
ple scope  to  exert  its  powers  to  the  very  extent  of 
his  ambition.  The  stamp  act  afforded  a  .theme- 


VIRGINIA;  305 

equally  grand  and  popular  :  It  interested  every     CHAP, 
being  in  the  country;   but  to  the  great  mass  of       IV'    ,.T 
the  people  it  was  matter  rather  of  feeling  than  re- 
flection. The  historical  facts  on  \\hich  rested  the 
national  rights,  were  known  but  to  a  ft  w.    It  was 
the  good  fortune  of  Mr.  Henry  to  be  the  first  to 
enter   into  an    abstract  exposition  of  this   great 
question,  and  to  render  familiar  by  his  perspicu- 
bus  manner,  subjects   heretofore  buried  deep  be- 
neath the  rubbish  of  antiquity. 

WHEN  Henry  first  appeared  in  the  assembly 
of  Virginia,  his  name  was  familiar,  though  his  per- 
son was  almost  wholly  unknown.  The  court 
party  failed  not  to  remark,  with  seme  appearance 
of  exultation,  his  supposed  defect  in  ease  and 
good  breeding ;  and  by  titterings  and  whispers  at- 
tempted  to  embarrass  and  depress  him.  The 
plainness  of  his  dress  and  the  awkwardness  of  his 
figure  furnished  new  food  for  ridicule,  and  the 
whole  of  their  court  graces  were  ostentatiously 
played  off  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  the  con- 
trast between  polish  and  rusticity  more  striking 
and  decisive  :  But  their  triumph  was  short  lived. 
Soon  as  the  great  faculties  of  his  mind  began  to 
enlarge  and  expand  their  volumes  before  them, 
their  feelings  were  instantly  converted  into  appre- 
hension and  astonishment.  Expectation  being 
now  at  its  height,  Mr.  Henry  rose,  and  having 
called  the  attention  of  the  house  to  the  alarming 
pretensions  of  the  English  government,  arid  their 
late  encroachments  on  the  just  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  British  America,  as  exemplified  in  the 
late  passage  of  that  obnoxious  statute,  the  stamp 
act,  he  offered  to  the  speaker  the  following  reso- 
lutions : 

"  WHEREAS  the  honourable  house  of  com- 
mons in  England  have  of  late  drawn  into  ques» 
2P 


HISTORY  OF 

tion,  how  far  the  general  assembly  of  this  colo* 
ny  hath  power  to  enact  law  s  for  la}  ing  taxes  and 
imposing  duties,  payable  by  the  people  of  this, 
his  majesty's  most  ancknt  colony;  for  settling 
•  and  ascertaining  the  same  to  all  future  times,  the 
house  of  burgesses  of  this  present  general  assem- 
bly have  come  to  the  several  following  resolutions: 

"  Resolved,  that  the  first  adventurers  and  set- 
tiers  of  this  his  majesty's  colony  and  dominion 
of  Virginia,  brought  with  them,  and  transmitted 
to  their  posterity,  and  all  other  his  majesty's 
subjects  since  inhabiting  in  this  his  majesty  ?s 
colony,  ail  the  privileges  and  immunities  that 
have  at  any  time  been  held,  enjoyed  and  posses* 
sed  by  the  people  of  Great  Britain. 

"  Resolved,  that  by  the  two  royal  charters  grant- 
ed by  king  James  1.  the  colonies  aforesaid  are  de- 
clared entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  faithful  liege 
and  natural  born  subjects,  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses, as  if  they  hiid  been  abiding  and  born  with- 
in the  realm  of  England. 

"  Resolved,  that  his  majesty's  most  liege  peo- 
ple of  this  his  mobt  ancient  colony,  have  enjoyed 
the  right  of  being  thus  governed  by  their  own  as- 
sembly,  in  the  article  of  taxes  and  internal  po- 
lice, and  that  the  same  have  never  been  forfeited, 
nor  any  other  way  yielded  up,  but  have  been  con- 
stant!} recognised  by  the,  king  and  people  of 
Great  Britain. 

"  Resolved,  therefore,  that  the  general  assem- 
bly of  this  colony,  together  with  his  majesty,  or 
his  substitute,  have,  in  their  representative  ca pa- 
city,  the  only  exclusive  right  and  power  to  lay 
taxes  and  impositions  upon  the  ii. habitants  of  thi§ 
colony  ;  ar»d  that  even  attempt  to  vest  such  pow- 
er in  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  other 
than  the  puieral  assembly  aforesaid,  is  illegal, 
unconstitutional  and  unjust,  and  has  a  manifest 


VIRGINIA,  SO' 

tendency  to  destroy  British  as  well  as  American     CHAP, 
freedom. 

"  Resolved,  that  his  majesty's  liege  people, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  are  not  bound  to 
yield  obedience  to  any  law  or  ordinance  whatso- 
ever, designed  to  impose  any  taxation  whatsoe- 
.  ver  upon  them,  other  than  the  laws  and  ordinances 
of  the  general  assembly  aforesaid. 

"  Resolved,  that  any  person  •  wh6  shall,  by 
speaking  or  writing,  maintain  that  any  other 
person  or  persons,  other  than  the  general  assem- 
bly of  this  colony,  have  any  right  or  power  to  lay 
any  taxation  whatsoever  on  the  people  here,  shall 
be  deemed  an  enemy  to  this  his  majesty's  co- 
lony." 

THE  speaker  having  objected  to  the  style  of 
the  resolutions,  as  too  strong  and  inflU mmatory, 
George  Johnson  of  Alexandria,  an  eminent  law- 
yer, undertook  to  support  him,  and  Henry, 
roused  by  opposition,  entered  at  once  into  an 
elaborate  investigation  of  the  subject,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  displayed  so  much  rare  and 
profound  constitutional  learning,  such  resources 
of  ingenuity ;  a  dec!  tmation  so  clear,  rapid  and 
impressive,  embellished  with  a  fancy  occasion- 
ally playful  and  lofty,  as  for  a  moment  astonished 
and  confounded  opposition.  His  arragement  of 
his  discourse  was  clear ;  his  division  of  his  subject 
eminently  simple.  "  The  rights  of  British  Ame- 
rica," said  he,  ' 'are  three  fold  ;  chartered,  consti- 
tutional and  natural.  The  first  arose  out  of  our 
condition  as  colonists,  and  are  guaranteed  to  us 
by  repeated  charters  granted  by  our  English 
monarchs.  They  are  every  where 'recognised  in 
all  our  public  instruments,  in  the  acts  of  onr  as- 
semblies, in  the  minutes  of  our  councils,  in  our 
judicial  proceedings,  in  our  habits,  our  princi- 
ples, in  every  page  and  letter  of  our  history,  and 


308  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     until,  unfortunately  for  the  British  empire  j 

^^      ' present  ministers  came  into  power,  no  man  was 

daring  enough  to  call  them  into  question.  Our 
constitutional  rights  we  inherit  as  subjects  of 
Britain.  Our  fathers  brought  them  along  with 
them  across  the  Atlantic,  and  in  the  midst  of 
their  own  unparallelled  distresses  they  cherished 
the  sacred  deposit,  and  transmitted  it  unimpaired  a 
noble  bequest  to  their  descendants.  These  rights, 
inste;  d  of  impairing  our  chartered  rights,  go  to 
their  absolute  confirmation.  At  the  time  pf  our 
emigration  we  were  entitled  to  all  the  benefits  of 
English  subjects ;  our  charters  secured  to  us  in 
America  the  benefits  we  were  compelled  to  relin- 
quish in  Europe.  Instead  of  parliaments  now 
too  remote,  the  wisdom  of  our  ancestors  devised 
the  simple  but  majestic  plan  of  colonial  assem- 
blies chosen  by  the  people  and  vested  with  the 
sole  power  of  levying  and  granting  the  public 
money.  Since  the  year  1619  this  right  has  been 
exercised  here,  and  I  believe,  in  every  other  Ame- 
rican colony,  to  the  great  benefit  and  content  of 
the  people.  But  the  claim  now  arrogantly  set  up 
by  ministers  would  go  to  the  utter  annihilation  of 
both  the  one  arid  the  other.  We  are  to  have  no 
rights  of  any  kind,  either  as  Englishmen  or  Ame- 
ricans, under  the  British  constitution  or  Ameri- 
can charters. 

<c  BUT  there  is  a  still  higher  right,"  said  he,  "  of 
which  it  is  attempted  to  bereave  us ;  which,  al- 
though all  other  rights  should  be  taken  away, 
no  one  ought  to  be  found  so  poor  of  soul  as  tamely 
to  surrender.  These  are  our  natural  rights,  which 
we  derive  from  the  God  of  nature.  By  these 
we  are  taught  that  the  fruits  of  our  labour  be- 
long exclusively  to  ourselves,  and  may  not  be 
taken  from  us  but  by  our  own  free  will  and  con- 
tent :  That  man  hath  a  right,  and  is  under  an  ori~ 


VIRGINIA. 

necessity  to  ceek  his  own  happiness;  that  with 
this  view  their  lathers  had  emigrated  to  America, 
and  at  a  vast  expense  of  blood  and  treasure  had  re- 
claimed the  horrid  wilderness  to  arts  and  civiliza- 
tion, and  had  thereby  added  incalculably  to  the 
wealth  and  power  of  the  parent  state. 

"  THESE  facts,"  said  the  animated  orator,  "are 
well  known  to  the  king  of  Grtat  Britain  and  his 
parliaments  ;  but  they  have  notwithstanding  per- 
sis'ed,  and  it  becomes  the  solemn  duty  of  North- 
America,  and  more  especially  of  this  ancient  co- 
lony, ev  r  conspicuous  for  her  devotion  to  liber- 
ty, to  restore  them  to  their  senses." 

HERE  he  entered  into  an  historical  enumera- 
tion of  th:jse  examples  of  successful  resistance  to 
Oppression  which  rendered  glorious  the  annals 
of  Koine  and  England,  and  concluded  with  this 
dreadful  warning,  which  connected  with  its  sub- 
sequent fulfilment,  seemed  like  the  inspiration  of 
prophecy.  '*  Caesar,"  said  he,  "  had  his  Brutus, 
Charles  his  Cromwell  and  (pausing)  George  the 
third,  (here  a  cry  of  treason,  treason  was  heard, 
supposed  to  issue  from  the  chair,  but  with 
admirable  presence  of  mind  he  proceeded)  may 
profit  by  their  examples.  Sir,  if  this  be  treason," 
continued  he, "make  the  most  of  it." 

THIS  speech,  of  which  only  a  sketch  is  given, 
was  frequently  interrupted  with  the  cry  of  hear, 
hear,  and  the  resolutions  were  passed  by  a  large 
majority,  forty  only  having  voted  against  them. 

ACIRCUMSTANCE  occurred,  however,  which 
had  well  nigh  deteated  their  intentions.  Secure 
of  the  victory  they  had  already  gained,  many  of 
the  patriots  had  procured  leave  of  absence  for 
the  purpose  of  visiting  their  families,  and  the 
opposition  emboldened  by  so  considerable  a  de- 
fection, moved  that  the  resolutions  should  be  re- 
scinded from  the  journals.  This  me4n  and  un- 


a  10  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  worthy  artifice  was  reprobated  by  Mr.  Henry  irt 
IV«  the  most  unqualified  language  of  contempt  and 
indignation.  He  concluded  by  calling  upon  the 
friends  of  liberty  to  secede,  and  leave  to  those 
men  the  whole  responsibility  of  a  measure  calcu- 
lated so  vitally  to  affect  the  interest  and  character 
of  Virginia. 

THIS  motion  effectually  brought  them  to  their 
senses.  They  alledged  that  their  opposition  pro- 
ceedecl  solely  from  a  wish  to  effect  a  restora- 
tion of  harmony,  rather  from  the  justice  than  the 
fears  of  the  mother  country,  and  that  in  their 
judgment  the  effect  of  those  resolutions  would  ra- 
ther be  to  irritate  than  persuade :  They  pro- 
mised, however,  to  withdraw  all  farther  opposi- 
tion, provided  the  two  last  resolutions  were  with- 
drawn. Mr.  Henry  rightly  judging  that  the  sa- 
crifice of  two  resolutions,  whose  meaning  was 
substantially  preserved  in  those  which  would  re- 
main,  was  of  no  value  compared  with  unanimity, 
the  terms  wt  re  accepted. 

STRUCK  with  the  alarming  tendency  of  these 
proceedings,  the  governor  suddenly  dissolved 
the  assembly,  and  writs  were  immediately  issued 
for  a  new  election  :  But  the  resolutions  of  the  as- 
sembly were  the  sentiments  of  the  people,  and 
in  almost  every  instance  those  who  had  voted  for 
their  adoption  were  re-elected,  whilst  their  oppo- 
nents were  with  as  little  exception  excluded. 

THE  spirited  behaviour  of  the  assembly  of 
Virginia  had  a  wonderful  effect  in  animating  and 
con  firm  ing  the  zeal  of  the  other  colonies,  and  pub- 
lic'testimonies  were  not  wanting  of  the  exalted 
opinion  entertained  by  them  of  her  courage  and 
wisdom.  Similar  resolutions  to  those  of  Virginia 
were  generally  adopted.  Those  of  Massachu- 
setts were  enforced  by  a  recommendation  of  an 
American  v  congress  of  deputies,  to  be  appoint. 


VIRGINIA.  311 

«d  by  the  colonial  legislatures,  and  which  should     CHAP. 
n  tetat  New  York  in  October,  **  for  the  purpose  _       vy 
ot  consulting   together   on  the  present  circum-  " 
stances   of  the  colonies,  and  the    difficulties  to 
which  they  arc  and  must  be  reduced  by  the  ope- 
ration  of  the  acts  of  parliament  for  lev)  ing  taxes." 

THIS  recommendation,  notwithstanding  the 
shortness  of  the  notice,  was  received  with  all  the 
respect  and  attention  usually  paid  to  the  acts  of 
established  authority.  The  deputies  of  nine  pjrst  ^me- 
states  met  at  the  appointed  time,  and  a  ballot  rican  con- 
having  taken  place,  Timothy  Rutgk-s  cf  Massa- 
chubetts,  was  appointed  president.  The  time  of 
this  body  being  too  valuable,  and  their  business 
too  important  to  be  employed  in  idle  debate  and 
impertinent  formalities,  with  one  consent  they 
entered  immediately  on  the  subject  for  whose 
deliberation  they  had  been  appointed.  The  first 
act  of  this  body  after  their  organization  was  a  so- 
lemn declaration  of  rights,  which  was  ordered  to 
be  inserted  in  their  minutes. 

"  THE  members  of  this  congress,"  say  they, 
".sincerely  devoted,  with  the  warmest  sentiments 
of  affection  and  fluty  to  his  majesty's  person  and 
government,  inviolably  attached  "to  the  present 
establishment  of  the  protestant  succession,  and 
with  minds  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the 
present  and  impending  misfortunes  of  thus  British 
colonies  on  this  continent ;  having  considered  as 
maturely  as  time  w  ill  permit,  the  circumstances 
cf  said  colonies,  esteem  it  our  indispensable  duty 
to  make  the  following  declarations  of  our  humble 
opinion  respecting  the  most  essential  rights  and 
liberties  of  the  colonists,  and  of  the  grievances 
under  which  they  labour,  by  reason  of  several 
late  acts  of  paiiiument. 

"  1.  THAT  his  majesty's  subjects  in  these  co- 
lonies, owe  the  bailie  allegiance  10  the  crown  of 


312  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.     Great  Britain,  that  is  owing  from  his  subjects 
IV-         born  within  the  realm,  and  all  due  subordination 
to  that  august  body  the  parliament  of  G.  Britain. 

"II.  THAT  his  majesty's  liege  subjects  in 
these  colonies,  are  entitled  to  all  the  inherent 
rights  and  liberties  of  his  natural  born  subjects, 
within  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain. 

"III.  THAT  it  is  inseparably  essential  to  the 
freedom  of  a  people,  and  the  undoubted  right  of 
Englishmen,  that  no  taxes  be  imposed  on  them 
but  with  their  own  consent,  given  personally  or 
by  their  representatives. 

"  IV.  THAT  the  people  of  these  colonies  are 
not,  and  from  their  local  circumstances  cannot  be5 
represented  in  the  house  of  commons  in  Great 
Britain. 

"  V.  THAT  the  only  representatives  of  the 
people  of  these  colonies  are  persons  chosen  there- 
in  by  themselves,  and  that  no  taxes  ever  have 
been,  or  can  be  constitutionally  imposed  on  them 
but  by  their  own  respective  legislatures. 

"  VI.  THAT  all  supplies  to  the  crown  being 
free  gifts  of  the  people,  it  is  unreasonable  and 
inconsistent  with  the  principles  and  spirit  of  the 
British  constitution,  tor  the  people  ol  Great  Bri- 
tain to  grant  to  his  majesty  the  property  of  the  co- 
lonists. 

"  vll.  THAT  trial  by  jury  is  the  inherent  and 
invaluable  right  of  every  British  subject  in  these 
colonies. 

"VIII.  THAT  the  late  act  of  parliament,  enti- 
tled "  An  act  for  granting  and  applying  certain 
stamp  duties,  and  other  duties  in  the  British  co- 
lonies a^d  plantations  in  America,  Sec."  by  im- 
posing taxes  on  the  inhabitants  of the^e  coK>ni<  sf 
and  the  said  act,  and  several  other  acts,  by  ex- 
tending the  jurisdiction  of  the  courts  of  admiralty 
beyond  its  ancient  limits,  have  a  manifest  ten- 


VIRGINIA.  3  IS 

dency  to  subvert  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the     CHAP, 
colonists.  IV< 

"  IX.  TH  A  T  the  duties  imposed  by  several  late 
acts  of  parliament,  from  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  these  colonies,  will  be  extremely  bur- 
thensome  and  grievous,  and  from  the  scarcity  of 
specie,  the  payment  of  them  absolutely  imprac- 
ticable. 

"  X.  THAT  as  the  profits  of  the  trade  of  these 
colonies  ultimately  center  in  Great  Britain,  to 
pay  for  the  manufactures  which  they  are  obliged 
to  take  from  thence,  they  eventually  contribute 
very  largely  to  all  supplies  granted  diere  to  the 
crown. 

"  XL  THAT  the  restrictions  imposed  by  seve- 
ral late  acts  of  parliament  on  the  trade  of  these 
colonies,  will  render  them  unable  to  purchase 
the  manufactures  of  Great  Britain. 

"  XII".  THAT  the  increase,  prosperity  and  hap- 
piness  of  these  colonies  depend  on  the  full  and 
free  enjoyment  of  their  rights  and  liberties,  and 
an  intercourse  with  Great  Britain  mutually  affec- 
tionate and  advantageous. 

"  XIII.  THAT  it  is  the  right  of  the  British 
subjects  in  these  colonies  to  petition  the  king,  or 
either  house  of  parliament. 

"  LASTLY,  that  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of 
these  colonies,  to  the  best  of  sovereigns,  to  the 
mother  country,  and  to  themselves,  to  endeavour 
by  a  loyal  and  dutiful  address  to  his  majesty,  and 
humble  applications  to  both  houses  of  parlia- 
ment, to  procure  the  repeal  of  the  act  for  grant- 
ing and  applying  certain  stamp  duties,  of  all 
clauses  of  any  other  acts  of  parliament,  whereby 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  admiralty  is  extended  as 
aforesaid,  and  of  the  other  late  acts  for  the  re- 
striction of  American  commerce. 
2Q 


314  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.         COMMITTEES  were  immediately  appointed  Fof 
lv-     _  the  purpose  of  drafting  petitions  to  the  king  and 
commons,  and  a  memorial  to  the  house  of  lords. 
These  papers,  having  been  reported  to  the  house, 
were    unanimously  adopted.     Indeed,    nothing 
r  could  have  been  more  entirely  unexceptionable 

than  the  style  and  matter  of  these  papers.  It 
was  the  language  of  complaint,  not  rude  and  bois- 
terous ;  but  tender,  respectful  and  affectionate: 
They  speak,  indeed,  of  invaded  rights  and  vio- 
lated compacts ;  but  nothing  resentful  or  vin- 
dictive is  uttered,  and  the  conduct  of  the  parent 
state  is  ascribed  rather  to  mistaken  policy  than  to 
any  deliberate  design  to  enslave  or  depress  them. 
But  whilst  they  proceed  in  this  temperate  strain, 
nothing  is  omitted  which  can  shew  their  absolute 
conviction  of  the  justice  of  their  claims,  and 
their  firm  resolution  to  support  them.  Happy 
had  it  been  for  Britain,  if,  touched  by  the  tender 
reproof  contained  in  them,  and  influenced  by  their 
good  sense,  she  had  abandonded  at  once  and  for 
ever  her  selfish  and  unfounded  pretensions.  To 
the  king  they  say,  "  The  continuation  of  these 
liberties  to  the  inhabitants  of  America  we  ardent- 
ly irnplore,  as  absolutely  necessary  to  unite  the 
several  parts  of  your  wide  extended  dominions, 
in  that  harmony  so  essential  to  the  preservation  and 
happiness  of  the  whole.  Protected  in  these  liber- 
tits,  the  emoluments  Great  Britain  receives  from 
us,  however  great  at  present,  are  inconsiderable, 
compared  \vith  those  she  has  the  fairest  prospect 
of  acquiring.  By  this  protection  she  will  fore- 
's re  to  herself  the  advantage  of  conveying 
io  ail  Europe,  the  nierckn-ciists  which  America 
furnishes,  and  of  supplying  through  the  same 
channel  whatever  is  wanted  from  thence.  Here 
^  opens  a  boundless  source  of  wealth  and  naval 
strength;  yet  these  immense  advantages,  by  the 


VIRGINIA,  31 

abridgement  of  those  invaluable  rights  and  liber-  CHAP. 
ties,  by  which  our  growth  has  been  nourished, 
are  in  danger  of  being  forever  lost ;  and  our  sub- 
ordinate legislatures,  in  effect,  rendered  useless  by 
the  late  acts  of  parliament  imposing  taxes  on 
these  colonies,  and  extending  t£e  jurisdiction  of 
the  court  of  admiralty  here,  beyond  its  ancient 
limits;  statutes  by  which  your  majesty's  com- 
mons in  Britain  undertake  absolutely  to  dispose 
of  the  property  of  their  fellow  subjects  in  Ame- 
rica, without  their  consent,  and  for  the  enforc- 
ing whereof,  they  are  subjected  to  the  determi- 
nation of  a  single  judge  in  a  court  unrestrained 
by  the  wise  rules  of  the  common  law,  the  birth- 
right of  Englishmen,  and  the  safeguard  of  their 
persons  and  properties. 

"  THE  invaluable  rights  of  taxing  ourselves, 
and  trial  by  our  peers,  of  which  we  implore  your 
majesty's  protection; ^are  not,  we  most  humbly 
conceive,  unconstitutional;  but  confirmed  by  the 
great  charter  of  English  liberty.  On  the  first  of 
these  rights,  the  honourable  the  house  of  com- 
mons  found  their  practice  of  originating  money 
bills,  a  right  enjoyed  by  the  kingdom  of  Ireland, 
by  the  clergy  of  England,  until  relinquished  by 
themselves,  a  right,  in  line,  which  all  other  your 
majesty's  English  subjects,  both  within  and  with- 
out  the  realm,  have  hitherto  enjoyed. 

si  WITH  hearts,  therefore,  impressed  with  the 
mostjndelible  character  of  gratitude  to  your  ma- 
jesty, and  to  the  memory  of  the  kings  of  your 
illustrious  house,  whose  reigns  have  been  signal- 
ly distinguished  by  thrir  auspicious  influence  on 
the  prosperity  of  the  British  dominie  con- 

:d  by  the  most  affecting  proofs  ma- 

jesty's piternal  love  to  all  your  /ever 

.nt,  and  your  unceasing  ancl   b  it  de- 

sires to  promote  their  happiness,  we  most  hum- 


316  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP*  bly  beseech  your  majesty,  that  you  will  be 
IV-  ciously  pleased  to  take  into  your  royal  conside- 
ration the  distresses  of  your  faithful  subjects  on 
this  continent,  and  to  lay  the  same  before  3  our 
majesty's  parliament,  and  to  afford  them  such  re- 
lief, as  in  your  royal  wisdom  their  unhappy  cir- 
cumstances shall  be  judged  to  require." 

THEIR  petition  to  the  commons  embraces  a 
wider  range,  and  dwells  with  greater  force  and 
minuteness  upon  the  several  grounds  of  dispute. 
It  states,  u  That  the  several  late  acts  of  parlia- 
ment, imposing  divers  duties  and  taxes  on  the 
colonies,  and  laying  the  trade  and  commerce 
thereof  under  very  burthensome  restrictions,  but 
above  all  the  act  for  granting  and  applying  cer- 
tain stamp  duties,  &c.  in  America,  have  filled 
them  with  the  deepest  concern  and  surprise ;  and 
they  humbly  conceive  the  execution  of  them  will  be 
attended  with  consequences  very  injurious  to  the 
commercial  interest  of  Great  Britain  and  her  co- 
lonies, and  must  terminate  in  the  eventual  ruin  of 
the  latter. 

"  WE  most  sincerely  recognise,"  said  they, 
"  our  allegiance  to  the  crown,  and  acknowledge 
all  due  subordination  to  the  parliament  of  GifcU 
Britain,  and  shall  always  retain  tl  :  grateful 

sense  of  their  assistance  and   protection,     it  is 
from  and  under  the  English  constitution  we  de- 
rive all  our  civil  and  religious  rights  and  li 
ties;  we  glory  in  being  £ubjecfcs  ol  st  of 

kings,  and  having  been  born  under  the  mo&t  per- 
fect form  of  government;  but  it  is  with  most  ineffa- 
ble and  humiliating  sorrow,  that  we  rj id  ourselves y 
of  late,  deprived  of  the  right  of  grant i  gour  own 
property  for  his  majesty's  service,  to  which  our 
lives  and  fortunes  are  entirely  devoted,  and  to 
which,  on  his  roya!  requisitions,  we  have  ever  been 
iready  to  contribute  to  tb:  utmost  of  our  abilities 


VIRGINIA  J17 

v  E  have  also  the  misfortune  to  find  that  al!  CHAP. 
the  penalties  and  forfeitures  mentioned  in  the  _ 
stamp  act,  and  in  divers  late  acts  of  trade  ex- 
tending to  the  plantations,  are,  at  the  election  of 
the  informer,  recoverable  in  any  court  of  admi- 
ral :y  in  America.  This,  as  the  newly  erected 
court  of  admiralty,  has  a  general  jurisdiction  over 
all  British  America,  renders  his  majesty's  sub- 
jects in  these  colonies,  liable  to  be  carried,  at  an 
immense  expense,  from  one  end  of  the  conti- 
nent to  the  other. 

«  IT  gives  us  also  great  pain  to  see  a  manifest 
distinction  made  therein,  between  the  subjects  of 
our  mother  country  and  those  in  the  colonies,  in 
that  the  like  penalties  and  forfeitures  recoverable 
there  only  in  his  majesty  court  of  record,  are  made 
cognizable  here  by  a  court  of  admiralty  ;  bv  these 
means  we  seem  to  be,  in  effect,  unhappily  de- 
prived of  two  privileges  essential  to  freedom,  and 
Xvhichall  Englishmen  have  ever  considered  as  their 
best  birthrights,  that  of  being  free  from  all  taxes 
but  such  as  they  have  consented  to  in  person,  or 
by  their  representatives,  ;f  trial  by  their 

peers. 

'*'  YOUR  petitioners  further  shew,  that  the  re- 
mote situation,  and  other  circumstances  of  the 
colonies,  render  it  impracticable  that  they  should 
be  represented  but  in  their  respective  subordi- 
nate legislatures;  and  they  humbly  conceive  that 
the  parliament,  adhering  strictly  to  tiie  principles 
of  the  constitution,  have  never  hitherto  taxed  any 
but  those  who  were  actually  therein  represented ; 
for  this  reason,  we  humbly  apprehend,  they  ne- 
ver have  taxed  Ireland,  or  any  of  the  subjects 
without  the  realm. 

"  BUT  were  it  ever  so  chc*-,  that  the  colonies 
might  m  1-^.v  be  .ed  to  be  repre- 

sented in  the  honourable  house  of  commons. 


318  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  <ve  conceive  that  very  good  reasons,  from  incon- 
venience,  from  the  principles  of  true  policy,  and 
from  the  spirit  of  the  British  constitution,  may 
be  adduced  to  shew,  that  it  would  be  for  the  real 
interest  of  Great  Britain,  as  well  as  her  colonies, 
-.hat  the  late  regulations  should  be  rescinded,  and 
the  several  acts  of  parliament  imposing  duties 
and  taxes  en  the  colonies,  and  extending  the  ju 
risdiction  of  the  courts  of  admiralty  here,  be- 
yond their  ancient  limits,  should  be  repealed. 

"  WE  shall  not  attempt  a  minute  detail  of  all 
die  reasons  which  the  wisdom  of  the  honourable 
.iiggest,  on  this  occasion,  but  would 
'iirrjbly  submit  the  following  particulars  to  their 
consideration. 

Ci  THAT  money  is  already  become  very  scarce 
,,  in  these  colonies,  and  is  still  decreasing  by  the 
necessary  exportation  of  specie  from  the  conti- 
,  for  tlis  dircharge  of  our  debts  to  British  • 
rne;  e 

i(  THAT  -in  immensely  heavy  debt  is  yet  due 
from  the  colonies  for  British  manufactures,  and 
dial  they  arc  btiil  heavily  burthened  with  taxes  to 
discharge  the  arrearages  due  for  aids  granted  by 
•:hcm  in  tre  lute  \yar. 

"  THAT    the  balance  of  trade  will   ever  be 
h   against   the   colonies,    and  in   favour   of 
t  Britain,  whilst  we  consume  her  manufac- 
•:.,  the  demand  for  which  must  ever  increase 
in  proportion  to  the  number  of  inhabitants  settled 
.     ,  with  the  means  of  purchasing  them.     We 
therefore  humbly  conceive  it  to  be  the  interest  of 
in  to  increase,  rather  thabi  diminish, 
i,  as  the  profits  of  ail  the  trade  of  the 
"  :nately  center  there  to  pay  for  her  rna- 
arc  not   allowed  to  purchase 
•  e  ;  :i,nd  by  the  consumption  of  which,  at 
ices  the  British  taxes  oblige  the 


VIRGINIA,  31 

mak-.  v  enders  to  set  on  them,  we  eventu- 

ally contribute  very  largely  to  the  revenue  of  the 
crown. 

"  THAT  fromthe  nature  of  American  business, 
the  multiplicity  of  suits  and  papers  used  in  mut- 
ters of  small  value  in  a  country  were  freeholds  are 
iinutely  divided,  and  property  so  frequently 
transferred,  a  stamp  duty  must  ever  be  very  bur- 
i.hensome  and  unequal. 

"  THAT  it  is  extremely  improbable  that  the 
honourable  house  of  commons  should,  at  all  times, 
be  thoroughly  acquainted  with  our  condition,  and 
all  facts  requisite  to  a  just  and  equal  taxation  of 
the  c 

"  IT  is  alio  humbly  submitted,  whether  there 
be  not  a  material  distinction  in  reason  and  sound 
policy,  at  least,  n  the  necessary  exercise 

irliaraeiitary  jurisdiction  in  general  acts,  for 
the  amendment  of  the  common  law,  and  the  re- 
guiation  of  trade  and  commerce  through  the 
\vhole  empire,  and  the  exercise  of  that  jurisdic- 
tion, by  imposing  taxes  on  the  colonies. 

*'  THAT  the  several  subordinate  provincial  le- 
gislatures have -been  moulded  into  forms,  as  near- 
ly resembling  that  of  their  mother  country,  as 
by  his  majesty's  royal  predecessors  was  thought 
convenient;  and  their  legislatures  seem  to  have 
been  wisely  and  graciously  established,  that  the 
subjects  in  the  colonies  might,  under  the  due  ad- 
ministration thereof,  enjoy  the  happy  fruits  of  the 
British  ;.  .':'nt,  which  in  their  present  cir- 

cumstances they  cannot  be  so  fully  and  clearly 
availed  <•  her  way  under  these  forms  of  go- 

vernment we  and  our  ancestors  have  been  born 
or  settled,  and  have  had  our  lives,  liberties  and 
properties  protected.  The  people  here,  as  every 
\vhete  else,  retain  a  great  fondness  for  their  old 
customs  and  usages,  and  we  trust  that  his  ma- 


320  HISTORY  Ob 

jesty's  service,  and  the  interest  of  the  nation,  so 
far  from  being  obstructed,  have  been  vasty  pro- 
moted by  the  provincial  legislatures. 

"  THAT  we  esteem  our  connections  with,  and 
dependance  on  Great  Britain,  as  one  of  our  great- 
est blessings,  and  apprehend  that  the  latter  wilk 
appear  to  be  sufficiently  secure,  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  the  inhabitants  in  the  colonies  have 
the  most  unbounded  affection  for  his  majesty's 
person,  family  and  government,  as  well  as  for 
the  mother  country,  arid  that  their  subordination, 
to  the  parliament  is  universally  acknowledged. 

"  WE  therefore  most  humbly  entreat,  that  the 
honourable  house  would  be  pleased  to  hear  our 
counsel  in  support  of  this  petition,  and  take  our 
distressed  and  deplorable  case  into  their  serious 
consideration,  and  that  the  acts  and  clauses  of 
acts,  so  grievously  restraining  our  trade  and  com- 
merce, imposing  duties  and  taxes  on  our  pro- 
perty, and  extending  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court 
of  admiralty  beyond  its  ancient  limits,  may  be 
repealed;  or  that  the  honourable  house  would 
otherwise  relieve  your  petitioners,  as  in  your 
great  wisdom  and  goodness  shall  seem  meet" 

THE  deputies  of  six  only,  out  of  the  nine  co- 
lonies represented  at  this  congress,  signed  the 
proceeedings.  This  circumstance,  calculated  at 
first  sight  to  convey  a  suspicion  of  distrust  and 
division,  is  thus  satisfactorily  explained  iu  their 
letter  to  the  principal  agent  in  London  : 

u  THE  lieutenant  governor  of  New  York  pro- 
rogued their  assembly  from  time  to  time,  b  j  that 
their  house  had  not  an  apportunity* of  appoint- 
ing members  with  full  powers  to  join,  and  sign 
the   address,  &c.      Yet  the  assembly   ol    Ntw 
York  having,  at   their   last  meeting,  appc, 
five  of  their  members  as  a  committee-,  not 
to  correspond  with  their  agent  at  home,  mat  also 


VIRGINIA.  321 

during  the  recess  of  the  house  to  write  to  and  cor-  CHAP, 
respond  with  the  several  assemblies  or  commit- 
tees of  assemblies  on  this  continent,  on  the  sub- 
ject matter  of  the  several  late  acts  of  parliament? 
so  grievous  and  dangerous  to  their  colonies,  it 
was  thought  proper  to  admit  this  committee  to 
join  in  the  conferences,  and  they  agreed  to  what 
was  done,  and  promised  to  use  their  endea- 
vours with  their  assembly  to  concur  also  whene- 
ver they  should  be  permitted  to  meet. 

"THE  South  Carolina  assembly,  not  rightly 
viewing  the  proposal  (which  originally  came  from, 
the  assembly  of  the  government  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Bay)  as  it  was  intended  that  the  several 
committees,  when  met,  should  frame  and  sign 
an  address  to  his  majesty,  and  memorial  and  pe- 
tition to  the  parliament,  to  be  immediately  dis- 
patched by  the  congress,  instructed  their  mem- 
bers (Messrs.  Lynch,  Rutledge  and  Gadsden)  to 
return  their  proceedings  to  them  for  approbation. 
The  Connecticut  assembly  made  the  same  re- 
strictions  in  their  instructions.  The  assembly 
also  of  New  Hampshire  wrote  that  they  had  re- 
solved, that  notwithstanding  they  were  sensible 
such  a  representation  ought  to  be  made,  and  ap- 
proved of  the  proposed  method  for  obtaining 
thereof,  yet  the  present  situation  of  their  govern- 
mental affairs  would  not  permit  them  to  appoint  a 
committee  to  attend  such  meeting,  but  should 
be  ready  to  join  in  any  address  to  his  majesty  and 
the  parliament  they  might  be  honoured  with  the 
knowledge  of,  probable  to  answer  the  proposed 
end ;  and  the  speaker  of  the  assembly  of  Georgia 
wrote,  that  a  majority  of  their  members  had  ap- 
plied to  the  governor  to  call  their  assembly,  and 
he  did  not  think  it  expedient,  which  was  the  reason 
did  not  send  a  committee  as  proposed,  but 


22  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  requested  us  to  transmit  a  copy  of  our  proceed- 
_  ings  to  them,  (which  will  be  done)  and  that  their 
"  assembly  would  meet  about  this  time,  and  he  did 
not  doubt  but  they  should  so  act  as  to  convince 
the  sister  colonies  of  their  inviolable  attachment 
to  the  common  cause.  We  also  understood  the 
North  Carolina,  and  we  know  the  Virginia  as- 
sembly  was  prorogued,  whereby  they  could  not 
have  the  opportunity  of  joining  us ;  so  that  we  doubt 
not  but  the  colonies  who  have  not  signed,  will 
very  speedily  transmit  similar  addresses,  if  their 
assemblies  should  not  be  hindered  from  meeting ; 
and  to  this  purpose,  we  hope  you  will  soon  hear 
from  the  assembly  of  South  Carolina."* 


*  The  following  estimates  of  the  receipts  and  expendi- 
tures of  this  v,rtuo.us  body  may  furnish  a  hint  to  the  advo- 
cate* of  taxes,  of  a  national  debt  and  splendid  establishments. 
Justly  has  it  been  said,  that  the  trappings  of  monarchy  arc 
more  than  infficunt  to  set  up  a  republic. 

An  account  of  the  disposition  of  the  500/.  granted  by  ordinance, 
and  received  of  the  trea9urfr  by  William  blurdock,  £d* 
ward  'l'iltshn:*n}  and  Thtrnas  Ringgotd. 

To   cash  paid    the  L.  s.  d.     By  cash  received  of  the  trea- 

whole    expenses  surer  in  gold,  500/.  at  5s. 

of  the  committee  6rf.  per  dwt.  as  follows  : 

to  N.  York,  there  L.    s.  d. 

and  .back  again,  138   14   1     409  Spanish  pis- 

To    cabh    paid   ex-  Ides,  at  27s.     532  3  0 

pres  to  N.  Yoik,  5  Half  johan- 

to  give  notice  of  ncs,  at  57/6.  -    14  7  6 

our  coming,  -     -  1/5                    A  French  pis- 

To  cash    pad    for  toles,at26*. 

express,  to  send  and  6d.      -     -     5  6  0 

a    copy    of  our  1  Moidore,    -     -     236 

proceedings     to  1  Half  do.     -     -     1    1  9 
the    speaker    of 

•Virginia,    -     -     -  1    10 

To   cash    paid    for 
bill  of  exchange, 


VIRGINIA.  323 

MEANWHILE  a  change  of  ministry  had  unex- 
pectedly taken  place  in  England,  and  hopes  ucrc 
entertained,  not  without  reason,  that  American 
grievances  would  experience  at  least  an  unpreju- 
diced if  not  favourable  hearing.  It  was  known  uidi 
certainty,  that  a  majority  ot  the  new  administra- 
tion was  composed  of  whigs,  who  could  not,  it 
was  thought,  consistently  with  their  own  princi- 
ples, give  their  sanction  to  measures  affecting  me 
security  of  their  fellow  subjects.  Before  judges 
such  as  these,  reasoning  from  analogies,  tue 
claims  of  America  would  be  listened  to  with  ad- 
miration and  sympathy,  and  their  wrongs  redres- 
sed with  effect  and  decision.  It  was  known,  how- 
ever, that  particular  members  were  avowedly  hos- 
tile to  the  plan  of  American  taxation  hi  any 
shape. 

IN   England  the  parliamentary  debut  of  the  Meeting  of 
new  ministers  was  watched  with  scarcely  less  so-  parliament, 
licitude.     It  was  every  where  regarded  as  the 
opening  of  a  drama,  whose  plot  had  excited  uni- 
versal expectation,  and  whose  denouement  would 
operate  either  prosperity  or  disaster  on  the  na- 
tion.    Under  these  circumstances  of  anxiety  and 
hope,  of  assurance   and   apprehension,  the    ses- 
sion was  opened  by  a  speech  from  the  throne, 
from   whose  mild  and  conciliatory  spirit  much 


to  remit  to  Chs. 
Garth,  csq.  with 
the  address  and 
petitions,  I50/. 
sterling,  at  fi5 
per  cent,  exchg.  247  10 
Gash  remaining  in 
hand  127  pistoles 
and  18».  and  8d.  172  7  8 

575      19  57*   1 


324  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     good  was  expected,  both  in  Europe  and 

ca.  It  evinced  a  wish  to  recede,  on  the  part  of 
the  administration,  provided  it  could  be  effected 
without  any  derogation  of  the  authority  of  par- 
liament, or  any  express  surrender  of  the  rights 
contended  for.  But  by  the  friends  and  partisans 
of  the  last  administration,  the  papers  relating  to 
the  disturbances  in  America,  were  represented  as 
deliberate  and  concerted  efforts  to  throw  oft'  all 
allegiance  to  the  mother  country,  and  the  various 
remonstrances  from  towns,  cities  and  corporati- 
ons in  that  country,  as  the  effects  of  ministerial 
artifice,  to  prepare  the  public  mind  for  the  repeal 
of  this  salutary  statute.  Whist  the  house  waver- 
ed between  these  conflicting  opinions,  Mr.  Pitt 
rose,  and  after  some  general  observations,  deli- 
vered his  sentiments  on  the  merits  of  this  fa- 
mous statute. 

UHE  pronounced  every  capital  measure  taken 
by  the  late  ministers  to  have  been  entirely  wrong. 
As  to  the  present  ministers,  though  he  acknow- 
ledged them  to  be  men  of  fair  characters,  and 
such  as  he  was  happy  to  see  engaged  in  his  majes- 
ty's service,  he  professed  that  he  could  not  give 
them  his  confidence.  •'  Confidence,"  said  he, 
"  is  a  plant  of  slow  growth  in  an  aged  bosom  ; — 
youth  is  the  season  of  credulity.  By  comparing 
events  with  each  other,  reasoning  from  effects  to 
causes,  methinks  I  plainly  discover  the  traces  of 
an  over-ruLng  influence,  I  have  had  the  honour 
to  serve  the  crown ;  and  could  I  have  submitted 
to  influence^  I  might  still  have  continued  to  serve ; 
but  I  would  not  be  responsible  for  others.  I  have 
no  local  attachments.  It  is  indifferent  to  me, 
whether  a  man  was  rocked  in  his  cradle  on  this 
side  or  that  side  of  the  Tweed.  I  countenanced 
and  protected  merit  wherever  it  was  to  be  found. 
It  is  my  boast,  that  I  was  the  first  minister  who 


VIRGINIA.  325 

.ought  tor  it  in  the  mountains  of  the  north — I  call-     ^V^P* 
ed  it  forth,  and  drew  into  your  service  an  hardy 
and  intrepid  race  of  men,  who  were  once  dread- 
ed as  the  inveterate  enemies  of  the  state.     \V 
I  ceased  to  serve  his  majesty  as  a  minister,  it 
not  the  country  of  the  man  by  which  I  was  ITK 
but  the  man  of  that  country  held  principles  in- 
compatible with  freedom,     it  is  a  long  time, 
Speaker,  since  I  have  attended  in  parliament ; 
when  the  resolution  was  taken  in  this  house  to 
tax  America,  I  was  ill  in  bed.     if  I  could  have 
endured  to  have  been  carried  in  my  bed,  so  great 
was   the  agitation  of  my   mind  for   the   conse- 
quences, 1  would  have  solicited  some  kind  hnnd 
to  have  laid  me  down  on  this  floor  to  have  borne 
my  testimony  against  it.     It  is  my  opinion, 
this  kingdom  has  no  right  to  lay  a  tax  upon 
colonies.     At  the  same  time,  I  assert  the  autho- 
:ngdom  to  be  sovereign  and  supreme 
in  every  circumstance  of  government  and  !  . 
:n  whatsoever.     Taxation    is  no  part  ol 
•ruing  or  legislative  power ;  the  taxes  are  a 
ntary  gift  and  grant  of  the  commons  alone. 
The  concurrence  of  the  peers  and  of  the  crown 
is  necessary  only  as  a  form  of  law.     This  house 
represents  the  commons  of  Great  Britain.   V," 
in  this  house  we  give  and  grant,  therefore,  'we  give 
grant   what  is   our   own  ;   but  can  we  give  and 
grant  the  property  of  the  commons  of  America  ? 
It  is  an  absurdity  in  terms.     There  is  an  idea 
in  some,  that  the  colonies  are  virtu..- 
ed  in  this  house.     1  would  fain  know  by  whom  ? 
The  idea  of  virtual  representation  is  the  most 
contemptible  that  ever  entered  into  the  head  of  a 
man ;  it  does   not  deserve  a  serious  refutation. 
The  commons  in  America,  represented  in  their 
ral  assemblies,  have  invariably  exercised  this 
Institutional  right  of  giving  and  grant 


326  HISTORY  OF 

own  money  ;  they  would  have  been  slaves  if  they 
had  not  enjoyed  it.  At  the  same  time,  this  king- 
dom has  ever  possessed  the  power  of  legislative 
and  commercial  controul .  The  colonies  acknow- 
ledge your  authority  in  all  things,  with  the  sole 
exception  that  you  shall  not  take  their  money 
out  of  their  pockets  without  their  consent.  Here 
would  I  draw  the  line — quam  ult/a  citraquc  ne~ 
quit  consistere  rectum*"  After  some  minutes  of 
profound  silence,  Mr.  Grenville  stood  up,  and 
with  all  the  systematic  obstinacy  of  a  sincere  but 
cloudy  and  narrow  mind  entangled  in  the  web  of 
its  own  sophistry,  entered  into  a  laboured  vindi- 
cation of  the  measures  of  his  administration.  He 
asserted,  that  the  tumult  in  America  bordered 
on  open  rebellion ;  and  if  the  doctrine  promul- 
gated that  day  were  confirmed,  he  feared  they 
would  lose  this  name  to  take  that  of  revolution. 
He  affirmed  taxation  to  be  a  .branch  of  the  sove- 
reign power,  and  that  it  had  been  frequently  ex- 
ercised over  those  who  were  never  represented ; 
it  was  exercised  over  the  East  India  and  other 
chartered  companies,  and  over  the  proprietors  of 
stock,  and  many  great  manufacturing  towns.  It 
was  exercised  over  the  palatinate  of  Chester  and 
the  Bishopbric  of  Durham,  before  they  sent  re- 
presentatives to  parliament.  He  appealed  for 
proofs  to  the  preamble  of  the  act  which  gave  them 
representatives,  and  which  by  his  desire  was  read 
to  the  house.  He  said,  that  when  he  proposed  to 
tax  America,  the  right  was  by  no  one  called  in 
question.  Protection  and  obedience  were  reci- 
procal ;  Great  Britain  protects  America ;  Ame- 
rica is  therefore  bound  to  yield  obedience.  "  If 
not,  tell  me,"  said  he,  "  when  were  the  Americans 
emancipated  ?  The  seditious  spirit  of  the  colo- 
nies owes  its  birth  to  the  factions  in  this  house, 
were  told  we  trode  on  tender,  ground ;  we 


VIRGINIA.  327 

.e  bid  to  expect  disobedience;  what  was  this  CHAP. 
but  telling  America  to  stand  out  against  the  law  ? 
to  encourage  their  obstinacy  \vith  the  expectation 
of  support  from  hence  ?  Ungrateful  people  of 
America !  The  nation  has  run  itself  into  an  im- 
mense debt  to  give  them  protection  ;  bounties 
have  been  extended  to  them  ;  in  their  favour  the 
Act  of  Navigation,  that  palladium  of  British 
commerce,  has  been  relaxed  •  and  now  they  are 
called  upon  to  contribute  a  small  share  towards 
the  public  expense,  they  renounce  ycur  authori- 
ty, insult  your  officers,  arid  break  out,  I  might 
almost  say,  into  open  rebellion." 

"  MR.  PITT,  fired  with  disdain  and  resent- 
ment, immediately  rose  to  reply,  but  was  called 
to  order  by  lord  Strange,  as  having  already  spo- 
ken ;  the  privilege  of  speaking  a  second  time  be- 
ing allowed  only  in  a  committee.  But  the  house 
resounding  with  die  cry  of  go  on,  he  proceeded 
with  an  animation  and  enthusiasm  which  no  art 
or  study  can  imitate,  spontaneously  flowing  from 
the  consciousness  of  great  talents  engaged  in  a 
just  and  noble  cause.  u  Sir,"  said  he,  address- 
ing the  speaker,  "a  charge  is  brought  against 
gentlemen  sitting  in  this  house,  for  giving  birth 
to  sedition  in  America.  The  freedom  with  which 
they  have  spoken  LheL*  sentiments  against  this 
unhappy  act,  is  imputed  to  them  as  a  crime ; 
but  the  imputation  shall  not  discourage  me.  It  is 
a  liberty  which  1  hope  no  gentleman  will  be 
afraid  to  exercise;  it  is  a  liberty  by  which  the 
gentleman  who  calumniates  it  might  have  pro- 
iited.  He  ought  to  have  desisted  from  his  pro- 
ject. We  are  told  America  is  obstinate — Ame- 
rica is  almost  in  open  rebellion.  Sir,  I  rejoice 
that  America  has  resisted  ;  three  millions  of  peo- 
ple so  dead  to  all  the  feelings  of  liberty,  as  vo- 
hintarily  to  submit  to  be  slaves,  would  have 


3*8  HISTORY  Of 

CHAP,  fit  instruments  to  make  slaves  of  all  the  rest.  I 
y*  came  not  here  armed  at  all  points  with  law  cases 
and  acts  of  parliament,  with  the  statute-book 
doubled  down  in  dogs  ears,  to  defend  the  cause 
of  liberty ;  but  for  the  defence  of  liberty  upon  a 
general,  constitutional  principle — it  is  a  ground 
on  which  1  dare  meet  any  man.  I  will  not  debate 
points  of  law ;  but  what  after  all  do  the  cases 
of  Chester  and  Durham  prove,  but  that  tinder 
the  most  arbitrary  reigns,  parliament  were  asham- 
ed of  taxing  a  people  without  their  consent,  and 
allowed  them  representatives  ?  A  higher  and  bet- 
ter example  might  have  been  taken  from  Wales  ; 
that  principality  was  never  taxed  by  parliament 
till  it  was  incorporated  with  England.  We  are 
told  of  many  classes  of  persons  in  this  kingdom 
not  represented  in  parliament ;  but  are  they  not 
all  virtually  represented  as  Englishmen  resident 
within  the  realm  ?  Have  they  not  the  option,  ma- 
ny of  them  at  least,  of  becoming1  themselves  elec- 
tors  ?  Every  inhabitant  of  this  kingdom  is  neces- 
sarily included  in  the  general  system  of  represen- 
tation. It  is  a  misfortune  that  more  are  not  actu- 
ally represented.  The  honourable  gentleman 
boasts  of  his  bounties  to  America.  Are  not  these 
bounties  intended  finally  for  the  bent  fit  of  this 
kingdom?  If  they  are  not,  he  has  misapplied  the 
national  treasures.  I  am  no  courtier  of  America 
— I  maintain  that  parliament  has  a  right  to  bind, 
to  restrain  America.  Our  legislative  power  over 
the  colonies  is  sovereign  and  supreme.  The  ho- 
nourable gentleman  tells  us,  he  understands  not 
the  difference  between  intern:;!  arid  external  tax- 
\;  but  surely  there  is  a  plain  deduction  be- 
tween taxes  levied  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a 
me,  and  duties  i raj:  •  trie  regulation  of 

commerce.     *  Wh-.'n,'  :vi«ci  the  >io  gen- 

tleman,  'were  the  cuuuicipated  '" 


TIRGINIA,  329 


tirhat  time,  say  I  in  answer,  were  they  tmtfe 
slaves?  I  speak  from  accurate  knowledge  when  I 
say,  that  the  profit  to  Great  Britain  from  the 
trade  of  the  colonies,  through  all  its  branches,  is 
two  millions  per  annum.  This  is  the  fund,  which 
carried  you  triumphant  through  the  last  war; 
this  is  the  price  America  pays  you  for  her  pro- 
tection ;  and  shall  a  miserable  financier  come  with 
a  boast  that  he  can  fetch  a  pepper  corn  into  the 
exchequer  at  the  loss  of  millions  to  the  nation  ? 
I  know  the  valour  of  your  troops  —  I  know  the 
skill  of  your  officers  —  I  know  the  force  of  this 
country  ;  but  in  such  a  cause  your  success  would 
be  hazardous.  America,  if  she  fell,  would  fall 
like  a  strong  man  ;  she  would  embrace  the  pillars 
of  the  state,  and  pull  down  the  contention  with 
her.  Is  this  your  boasted  peace  ?  Not  to  sheathe 
the  sword  in  the  scabbard,  but  to  sheathe  it  in 
the  bowels  of  your  countrymen  ?  The  Americans 
have  been  wronged  ;  they  have  been  driven  to 
madness  by  injustice.  Will  you  punish  them  for 
the  madness  you  have  occasioned  ?  No  :  Let  this 
country  be  the  first  to  resume  its  prudence  and 
temper  ;  I  will  pledge  myself  for  the  colonies, 
that,  on  their  part,  animosity  and  resentment 
will  oeasc.  Let  affection  be  the  only  bond  of  co- 
ercion. The  system  of  policy  1  would  earnesiy 
exhort  Great  Britain  to  adopt,  in  relation  to 
America,  is  happily  expressed  in  the  words  of  a 
favourite  poet  : 

"  Be  to  her  faults  a  little  blind, 

u  Be  to  her  virtues  very  kind  ; 

*4  Lc  t  all  t»er  ways  be  unconfined, 

w  And  clap  your  padlock  on  her  mind.'* 

PRIOR. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  will  beg  leave  to  tell  the  house 
in  a  lew  words  what  is  really  my  opinion.     It  is, 
2S 


330  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.     That  the  Stamp  Act  be  repealed,  absolutely,  totally, 
?v         ana  immediately." 

ft  IN  a  short  time  a  bill  was  brought  in  by  the 
re  w  ministers  for  this  purpose,  which,  aiver  very- 
vehement  opposition,  passed  both  houses  by  con- 
siderabh  majorities,  and  received  the  royal  as- 
sent:  accompanied  at  the  same  time  wi\h  a  de- 
claratory act,  asserting  the  power  and  right  cf 
Great  Britain  to  bind  the  colonies  in  all  cases 
whatsoever."* 

NOTHING  could  exceed  the  joy  of  America  at 
Joy  pro-  this  seasonable  act  of  justice  and  good  policy, 
duced  in  Those  ill  humours  which  had  been  long  collect- 
by^epTai  of  *n£'  arc^  l°vvcrt(l  like  a  dark  cloud  over  the  poli- 
stamp-act.  tical  horizon,  wab  dissipated  in  a  moment,  and 
was  succeeded  by  a  clear  a,;d  cheering  sun- shine. 
Public  rejoicii  gs  took  place  in  all  the-  principal 
towns  and  sea  ports,  in  which  taste  anele:x: 
vied  with  each  in  expressing  the  public  gratimde 
and  exultation :  The  whole  country  exhibited  me 
apjearmce  of  a  national  tiiumph;  general  illu- 
minations and  popular  processions,  statues  and 
monuments,  \vi»h  appropriate  devices,  executed 
by  able  anists,  in  a  style  of  simple  grandeur; 
patriotic  songs  and  toasts,  severally  contributed 
toanin  ate  the  public  joy,  and  render  it  correct 
and  lastiiig.  But  in  the  midst  of  the  general  en- 
thusiasm, the  public  gratitude  was  nicely  discri- 
minative, and  a  just  distinction  was  plainly 
drawn  between  the  active  virtues  oi  their  sup 
porters  in  the  British  parliament,  and  those  men 
who  had  yielded  to  the  justice  of  their  claims  only 
through  fear  and  necessity  :  Chatham  and  Cam- 
den,  Burk  and  Bane,  were  familiar  to  every 
ear.  Nor  did  they  forget  the  generous  exertions 


VIRGINIA.  331 

of  their  own  worthies,  whose  steady  wisdom  and     CHAP. 
dauntless  intrepidity   in  their   assemblies,    had  _    1V> 
commenced  the  assault,  and  bore  the  brunt  of  the  " 
battle. 

IN  the  midst  of  these  rejoicings,  it  did  not 
escape  the  sagacity  of  the  people  that  the  declara- 
tory resolution  with  which  the  lepeal  was  accom- 
panied, was  suggested  with  a  view  to  future  en- 
croachment :  But  it  was  attended  with  the  bene- 
ficial effect  of  rendering  them  more  jealous  and 
vigilant,  and  would  prevent  them  from  relapsing 
into  the  langour  of  a  false  and  fatal  security.  Per- 
haps, too,  it  might  have  been  only  a  salvo  to  the 
wounded  and  mortified  pride  of  authority ;  and 
the  main  object  having  been  attained,  it  was  re- 
garded  as  an  unreasonable  jealousy  to  create  un- 
easiness, by  anticipating  the  possibility  of  fu- 
ture aggression. 

THE  assembly  of  Virginia  received  the  ac- 
count of  this  important  measure  with  a  joy  pro- 
portioned to  their  wise  and  brilliant  exertions. 
In  the  first  effusions  of  thtir  gratitude,  a  reso- 
lution was  adopted  for  erecting  an  obelisk  to 
those  distinguished  patriots  who  effected  the  re- 
peal  of  the  stamp  act.  An  address  of  thanks 
was  immediately  voced  to  the  king  and  parlia- 
ment, in  which  all  their  former  assurances  of  loy- 
alty and  attachment  were  repeated.  The}  had 
previously  in  their  answer  to  the  governor's  com- 
munication, expressed  iheir  satisfaction  that  no 
riots  or  popular  excesses  had  stained  the  reputa- 
tion of  Virginia,  during  the  late  unfortunate  sus- 
pension of  her  constitution;  "  a  circumstance," 
say  they,  "  which  should  be  ascribed  to  a  con- 
viction that  the  triumph  of  the  oppressor  would 
be  short,  and  that  justice  would  be  done  to  the 
loyalty  and  rights  of  Virginia." 


332  HISTORY  OF 

FROM  these  consolatory  topics,  their  attention, 
was  all  at  once  directed  to  the  discovery  of  a 
most  alarming  defalcation  in  her  treasury.  The 
suspicions  of  several  individuals  had  for  some 
time  fallen  on  the  treasurer,  owing  to  certain 
usurious  contracts  with  which  his  name  had  been 
connecttd.  This  man  had  been  a  servile  instru- 
ment of  government,  and  it  was  not  improbable 
that  the  peculation  might  have  been  employed  in 
debauching  the  integrity  op  members  of  assem- 
bly, as  well  as  forwarding  schemes  of  personal 
aggrandizement.  By  the  spirited  exertions  of 
Bichard  Henry  Lee,  Peter  Lyon  and  Edmund 
Ptndleton,  an  inquiry  was  immediately  instituted, 
and  the  result  was  of  a  nature  to  astonish  and 
confound  the  assembly. 

ACCORDING  to  a  report  made  on  this  subject, 
12,  ft  apf>eared  that  this  man,  in  whose  person  were 
united  the  important  offices  of  speaker  and  trea- 
surer, had  made  free  with  more  than  one  hunch  rd 
thousand  pounds  of  the  public  money  ;  and  this 
loss  was  aggravated  by  the  melancholy  conside- 
ration that  the  treasury  was  empty. 

To  recover  this  money,  the  measures  of  the 
house  were  prompt  and  decisive,  and  the  com- 
mittee was  directed  to  proceed  against  the  delin- 
quent, whose  estate  was  considerable,  and  to  con- 
tinue their  investigation  with  the  view  to  the  dis- 
covery of  sums  loaned  by  him.  This  was  a 
shock  too  powerful  for  the  sensibility  of  Mr.  Ro- 
binson, and  he  sank  tinder  the  load  of  general 
obloquy,  rendered  more  insupportable  by  the 
acute  sting  of  his  own  reflection.  On  this  event 
the  committee  of  assembly  administered  on  his 
estate,  and  by  skilful  management,  sufficknt  was 
eventually  collected  to  cover  the  dilapidation. 

THE  detection  of  this  peculation  directed  their 
attention  to  the  glaring  impropriety  of  concen^ 


VIRGINIA. 

ttating  in  a  single  person,  powers  so  extensive  CHAP, 
and  incompatible  as  those  of  speaker  and  trea-  _ 
surer ;  and  an  animated  pretest  was  entered  up 
against  their  future  union.  This  was  not  a  time 
to  oppose  a  measure  so  obviously  founded  on. 
reason  and  good  policy ;  and  the  house  having 
made  choice  of  Peyton  Randolph  for  their  speak- 
er, Robert  Carter  Nicholas  was  appointed  trea- 
surer with  the  concurrent  approbation  of  the 
different  branches  oi  government  and  the  people 
at  large,  to  whom  they  were  endeared  by  theif 
public  and  private  virtues. 

TH  ERE  was  a  session  of  assembly  in  this  year :  1757, 
But  it  was  distinguished  by  no  measures  of  im- 
portance, owing,  it  is  supposed,  to  the  illness  of 
the  governor,  whose  health  \vas  hourly  declining. 
The  committee  of  inquiry  made  a  second  report 
of  thtir  proceeding .  respecting  the  late  treasurer : 
The  amount  of  the  deficit  was  better  defined, 
and  the  prospect  oi  recovering  the  public  money 
rendered  brighter  and  more  distinct.  The  house 
appeared  to  be  wholly  directed  to  effecting  order 
and  arrangement  in  the  finances. 

ABOUT  this  time  died  Francis  Fauquier,  lieu- 
tenant  governor,  at  the  age  of  65  years,  ten  of 
whi  :h  had  been  passed  in  Virginia, 

WITH    some   allowance,  he  was  every  thing  Character 
that  could  have  been  wished  for  by  Virginia  un-  oi  Fauquier 
dcr  a  royal  government.     Generous,  liberal,  ele* 
gant  in  his  manners. and  acquirements;  his  ex- 
ample left  an  impression  of  tiste,  refinement  a  id 
erudition  on  the  character  of  the  colony,  \\] 
eminently   contributed   to  ks  present  hi^h  n 
tatio'.i  in  the  arts.     It  is  stated  on  evidence 
ciently   authentic,  that  on  the  return  of  An 
from  his  circumnavigation  of  the  earth,  he 
Lily  fell  :  Fauquier,  fro-n  *.vhom 

night's  piaj ,  lie  won  at  cards  the  whole  of 


334 


HISTORY  Ol 


his  patrimony  ;  th  it  afterwards  being  captivated 
by  the  striking  graces  of  this  gentleman's  per- 
son and  conversation,  he  procured  for  him  the 
government  of  Virginia.  Unreclaimed  by  the 
former  subversion  of  his  fortune,  he  introduced 
the  same  fatal  propensity  to  gaming  into  Virginia ; 
and  the  example  of  so  many  virtues  and  accom- 
plishments  alloyed  but  by  a  single  vice,  was  but 
too  successful  in  extending  the  influence  of  this 
pernicious  and  ruinous  practice.  He  found 
amongst  the  people  of  his  new  government,  a 
character  compounded  of  the  same  elements  as 
his  own ;  and  he  found  little  difficulty  in  render- 
ing fashionable  a  practice,  which  had  before  his 
arrival  already  prevailed  to  an  alarming  extent. 
During  the  recess  of  the  courts  of  judicature  and 
assemblies,  he  visited  the  most  distinguished 
landholders  in  the  colonies,  and  the  rage  of  play- 
ing deep,  reckless  of  time,  health,  or  money, 
spread  like  a  contagion  amongst  a  class  prover- 
bial for  their  hospitality,  their  politeness  and 
fondness  for  ex  pence.  In  every  thing  beside, 
Fauquier  was  the  ornament  and  the  delight  of 
Virginia. 

His  death  devolved  the  duties  of  government 
IV:'ir,T?resi-  on  John  Blair,  president  of  council ;  and  the  late 
governor  having  by  proclamation  summoned  the 
assembly  to  meet  previous  to  the  time  to  which 
they  had  been  adjourned,  the  president  by  pro- 
clamation directed  that  they  should  convene  at 
the  time  appointed,  stating  that  the  causes  for 
this  extraordinary  meeting  still  existed.  These 
causes  ivcre  briefly  explained  in  his  communica* 
tion.  He  had  received  dispatches  from  general 
Gage  and  sir  William  Johnson,  that  considerable 
z Citation  existed  among  the  Indians  by  reason  of 
encroachments  on  their  lands  at  Redstone  Creek 


del: 


March  31 
1768. 


VIRGINIA.  335 

and  Cheat  River  by  the  whites,  which,  if  not     CHAP, 
timely   prevented  and   punished,  might  lead  to  _ 
another  war. 

THIS  was  a  case  avowedly  important,  and  mea- 
sures were  instantly  adopted  for  removing  so  far 
as  it  depended  on  Virginia,  every  cause  of  un- 
easiness to  this  people. 

THE  attention  of  the  house  was  attracted  to 
other  objects  of  far  greater  importance.  The  re- 
peal of  the  stamp  act  had  been  extorted  rather 
from  the  fears  than  the  justice  of  government, 
and  it  left  behind  a  wound  that  rankled  deep  in 
their  bosoms.  The  declaratory  clause  had  been 
attached  to  it  for  the  purpose  of  assuaging  the 
wounds  of  authority  :  But  more  potent  remedies 
were  sought  for  in  plans  of  vengeance  and  ma- 
lignity, which  only  waited  an  occasion  when  with 
some  prospect  of  success  they  might  be  brought 
to  bear  upon  America.  Whilst  these  projects 
were  in  agitation,  Charles  Townshend,  chancel- 
lor  of  the  exchequer,  "  in  one  of  his  vain  and  ca- 
pricious moods,  boasted  in  the  house  of  com- 
mons, that  he  kne\v  how  to  raise  a  revenue  from 
the  colonies  without  giving  them  any  offence."* 
lie  was  instantly  andeagerl}  urged  by  Mr.  Gren- 
ville  to  pledge  himself  to  the  execution  of  this 
project,  which,  after  being  sufficiently  matured, 
was  submitted  to  and  gained  the  approbation  of  a 
majority  of  the  cabinet.  The  absence  of  lord 
Cnatham  accelerated  its  adoption,  and  in  the  en- 
suing session  of  parliament  a  bill  passed  for  the 
imposition  of  certain  duties  on  glass,  tea,  paper 
and  painter's  colours.  It  was  presumed  that  as 
the  main  objec  tion  had  lain  against  internal  tax- 
ation, these  taxes  being  indisputably  external, 


*  Bckham. 


336  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  would  experience  no  opposition.  This  was  irk 
=  deed  taking  the  colonis.s  on  their  own  admissions ; 
""  and  the  vain  projectors  hugged  themselves  in  the 
assurance  that  they  had  woven  a  net  so  perplexed 
and  mazy,  that  it  was  utterly  impossible  for 
them  to  extricate  themselves  by  any  efforts  of  in- 
genuity. But  the  sagacity  of  Americans,  grown 
every  day  more  quick -sigh ted  by  discussion  and 
observation,  penetrated  in  a  moment  this  flimsy 
disguise,  and  their  indignation  and  contempt 
every  where  rose  against  the  weak  and  wicked 
projectors. 

IT  was  of  little  consequence,  they  affirmed, 
whether  a  revenue  was  raised  within  the  colonies 
by  an  act  of  the  British  parliament,  operating 
immediately,  or  by  duties  on  articles  imported, 
which  went  avowedly  to  the  same  object.  In 
either  case,  a  revenue  would  be  raised  without, 
and  contrary  to  the  consent  of  the  people  and 
their  representatives.  If  carried  into  a  precedent, 
these  acts  would  confound  all  just  principles  of 
legislation,  and  the  colonial  assemblies,  to  every 
substantial  purpose,  would  become  absolute  nul- 
lities in  the  constitution.  It  was  every  where 
regarded  as  the  entering  wedge,  whose  admis- 
sion would  prepare  the  way  for  greater  encroach- 
ments, and  an  unanimous  resolution  was  every 
where  adopted  to  oppose  it. 

To  these  duties,  so  justly  regarded  as  obnoxi- 
ous and  illegal,  the  assembly  of  Virginia,  with 
their  usual  zeal  and  sagacity,  directed  their  at- 
tention, and  they  received  every  facility  fr<>m  the 
mild  and  patriot  virtues  of  their  chief  n*agis» 
trate.  A  few  days  pevious  to  the  opening  of  their 
session,  the  speaker  received  the  circular  letter 
of  Massachusetts,  giving  an  account  of  their  op- 
position to  the  parliamentary  duties,  and  so 
ing  the  concurrence  of  Virginia  to  her  pia.ii  of 


VIRGINIA;  35? 

constitutional  resistance.  A  communication  like  CHAP. 
this  would  naturally  confirm  the  zeal  of  Virginia, 
if  incentives  had  been  wanting.  Their  resolu- 
tion, however,  was  already  formed,  and  the  pro- 
ceedings of  her  legislature  are  thus  rapidly  but 
impressively  detailed  in  their  answer  through  the 
medium  of  their  speaker.  After  paying  a  just 
tribute  of  applause  to  the  legislature  of  Massa- 
chusetts for  their  attention  to  American  liberty, 
they  tell  them  that,  "  After  the  most  deliberate 
consultation,  they  thought  it  their  duty  to  repre- 
sent to  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  that  they 
are  truly  sensible  of  the  happiness  and  security 
they  derive  from  their  connections  with,  and  de- 
pendence on  Great  Britain,  and  are  under  the 
greatest  concern  that  any  unlucky  incident  should 
interrupt  that  salutary  harmony,  which  they  wish 
ever  to  subsist.  They  lament  that  the  lemote- 
ness  of  their  situation  often  exposes  them  to  such 
misrepresentations  as  are  apt  to  involve  thtm  in 
censures  of  disloyalty  to  their  sovereign,  and  the 
want  of  a  proper  respect  to  the  British  parlia- 
ment ;  whereas  they  have  indulged  themselves  in 
the  agreeable  persuasion,  that  they  ought  to  be 
considered  as  inferior  to  none  of  their  fellow  sub- 
jects in  loyalty  and  affection. 

"  THAT  they  do  not  affect  an  independency  of 
their  parent  kingdom,  the  prosperity  of  which 
they  are  bound  to  the  utmost  of  their  abilities  to 
promote,  but  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  the  autho- 
rity of  parliament  to  make  laws  lor  preserving 
a  necessary  dependence,  and  for  regulating  the 
trade  of  the  colonies.  Yet  they  cannot  conceive, 
and  humbly  insist,  it  is  not  essential  to  support 
a  proper  relation  between  a  mother  country  and 
colonies  transplanted  from  her,  that  she  should 
have  a  right  to  raise  money  from  them  without 
2T  ' 


338  HISTORY  OF 

their  consent,  and  presume  they  do  not  aspire  to 
more  than  the  natural  rights  cf  British  subjects, 
when  they  assert,  that  no  power  on  earth  has  a 
right  to  impose  taxes  on  the  people,  or  take  the 
smallest  portion  of  their  property  without  their 
consent,  given  by  their  representatives  in  '"parlia- 
ment. This  has  ever  been  considered  as  the 
chief  pillar  of  the  constitution  ;  without  this  sup. 
port  no  man  can  be  said  to  have  the  least  shadow 
of  liberty,  since  they  can  have  no  property  in  that, 
which  another  can  by  right  take  from  them  when 
he  pleases,  without  their  consent. 

"  THAT  their  ancestors  brought  over  with 
them  entire,  and  transmitted  to  their  descend- 
ants, the  natural  and  constitutional  rights  they  had 
enjoyed  in  their  native  country ;  and  the  first 
principles  of  the  British  constitution  were  early 
engrafted  into  the  constitution  of  the  colonies. 
Hence  a  legislative  authority,  ever  essential  in 
all  free  states,  was  derived,  and  assimilated  as 
nearly  as  might  be  to  that  in  England  ;  the  exe- 
cutive power,  and  the  right  of  assenting  or  dis- 
senting to  all  laws  reserved  to  the  crown,  and  the 
privilege  of  choosing  their  own  representatives 
continued  to  the  people,  and  was  confirmed  to  them 
by  repeated  and  express  stipulations.  The  go- 
vernment thus  established,  they  enjoyed  the  fruits 
of  their  own  labour  with  a  serenity,  which  liberty 
only  can  impart.  Upon  pressing  occasions  they 
applied  to  his  majesty  for  relief,  and  gratefully 
acknowledge  they  have  frequently  received  it  from 
their  mother  country ;  whenever  their  assistance 
was  necessary,  requisitions  have  constantly  been 
made  from  the  crown  to  the  representatives  of  the 
people,  who  have  complied  with  them  to  the  ut- 
most extect  of  their  abilities.  The  ample  pro- 
vision made  for  the  support  of  the  civil  govern- 
ment, in  the  reign  of  king  Charles  the  second, 


VIRGINIA.  339 

and  at  his  request,  and  the  large  supplies  voted  CHAP. 
during  the  last  war,  upon  requisitions  from  his 
majesty  and  his  royal  grandfather,  afford  early 
and  late  instances  of  the  dispositions  of  the  as- 
semblies of  this  colony,  and  are  sufficient  proofs 
that  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain  did  not,  till 
lately,  assume  a  power  of  imposing  taxes  on  the 
people,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue. 

"  To  say  that  the  commons  of  Great  Britain 
have  a  right  to  impose  internal  taxes  on  the  inha- 
bitants of  this  continent,  who  are  not,  and  can- 
not be  represented,  is  in  effect  to  bid  them  pre- 
pare for  a  state  of  slavery.  What  must  be  their 
situation  should  such  a  right  be  established  ?  The 
colonies  having  no  constitutional  check  on  theirli- 
berality  in  giving  away  their  money,  cannot  have 
an  opportunity  of  explaining  their  grievances,  or 
.of  pointing  out  the  easiest  method  of  taxation, 
for  their  doom  will  generally  be  determined  be- 
fore they  are  acquainted  that  the  subject  has  been 
agitated  in  parliament,  and  the  commons  bear  no 
proportion  of  the  taxes  they  lay  upon  them.  The 
notion  of  a  virtual  representation,  which  would 
render  all  our  rights  merely  ideal,  has  been  so 
often,  and  so  clearly  refuted,  that  nothing  need 
be  said  on  that  head. 

"  THE  oppressive  stamp- act  confessedly  im- 
posed internal  taxes,  and  the  late  acts  ot  parlia- 
ment, giving  and  granting  certain  duties  in  the 
British  colonies,  plainly  tend  to  the  same  point. 
Duties  have  been  imposed  to  restrain  the  com- 
merce of  one  part  of  the  empire  that  was  likely 
to  prove  injurious  to  another,  and  by  this  means 
the  welfare  of  the  whole  promoted  ;  but  duties 
imposed  on  &uch  of  the  British  exports  as  are  ne- 
cessaries of  life,  to  be  paid  by  the  colonists  on 
importation,  without  any  view  to  the  interests  of 
commerce,  but  merely  to  raise  a  revenue,  or  in 


340  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  other  words,  to  compel  the  colonists  to  part  with 
their  money  against  their  inclinations,  they  con- 
ceive to  be  a  tax  internal  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses.  And  can  it  be  thought  just  or  reasona- 
ble, restricted  as  they  are  in  their  trade,  con- 
fined  as  they  are  in  their  exports,  obliged  to  pur- 
chase their  very  necessaries  at  the  British  mar- 
ket, that  they  should  now  be  told  they  shall  not 
have  them  without  paying  a  duty  for  them  ? 

"  THE  act  MI  spending  the  legislative  power  of 
New  York,  they  consider  as  still  more  alarming 
to  the  colonies,  though  it  has  that  single  pro- 
vince in  view.  If  the  parliament  can  compel 
them  to  furnish  a  single  article  to  the  troops  sent 
over,  they  may  by  the  same  rule  oblige  them  to 
furnish  cloaths,  arms  and  every  other  necessary, 
even  the  pay  of  the  officers  and  soldiers,  a  doc- 
trine replete  with  every  mischief,  and  utterly  sub- 
versive of  all  that  is  dear  and  valuable:  For 
what  advantage  can  the  people  of  the  colonies  de- 
rive from  their  right  of  choosing  their  own  re- 
presentatives, if  those  representatives,  when 
chosen,  not  permitted  to  exercise  their  own 
judgments,  were  under  a  necessity  (on  pain  of 
being  deprived  of  their  legislative  authority)  of 
enlorcing  the  mandates  of  a  British  parliament  ? 
''  THIS,  sir,  is  a  sketch  of  their  sentiments, 
as  they  are  expressed  in  a  petition  to  his  majes- 
ty, a  memorial  to  the  right  honourable  the  lords 
spiritual  and  temporal,  and  in  a  remonstrance  to 
the  knights,  citizens  and  burgesses  of  Great  Bri- 
tain in  parliament  assembled.  In  all  those  pro- 
ceedings the  council  of  the  colony  have  concur- 
red, and  have  directed  their  agent,  James  Aber- 
crombic,  esq.  to  join  Kdward  Montague,  esq. 
their  agent  for  this  colony,  in  applying  for  redress 
of  the  grievances  they  so  justly  complain  of. — 
Copies  Were  delivered  to  the  president  of  the 


VIRGINIA. 

•council,  now  commander  in  chief,  who  is  de- 
sired to  transmit  them  to  the  secretary  of  state 
appointed  by  his  majesty  to  manage  the  affairs 
of  North  America,  and  Mr.  Montague  is  en- 
joined to  consult  the  agents  of  the  other  colonies, 
and  to  co  operate  with  tliem  in  every  measure 
that  shall  be  thought  necessary  to  be  taken  on 
this  critical  point. 

"  THEY  trust  they  have  expressed  themselves 
with  a  firmness  that  becomes  freemen  pleading 
for  essential  rights,  and  with  a  decency  that  will 
take  off  every  imputation  of  faction  or  disloyal- 
ty. They  repose  entire  confidence  in  his  majes- 
ty, who  is  ever  attentive  to  the  complaints  of  his 
subjects,  and  is  ever  ready  to  relieve  their  dis- 
tress ;  and  they  are  not  without  hopes  that  the 
colonies,  united  in  a  decent  and  regular  opposi- 
tion, mi.y  prevail  on  a  new  house  of  commons 
to  put  a  stop  to  measures  so  directly  repugnant 
to  the  interests  both  of  the  mother  country  and 
her  colonies." 

THE  discontent  at  this  time  arising  from  go- 
vernmental oppressions,  was  not'  confined  to 
America:  it  extended  to  every  quarter  of  the 
empire  ;  but  its  focus  was  the  capital,  where  its 
violence  sometimes  became  so  great  as  to  en- 
danger even  the  existence  cf  civil  government. 

MEANWHILE  '^ord   Bottetourt    arrived,    as 
governor  in  chief  of  the  catony  of  Virginia,  and  Lord  Botte- 
by  advice  of  council,  a  dissolution  took  place  of  tourt  ar- 
the  assembly.     This  was  the  usual  procedure  on 
the  arrival  of  a  new  governor,  in  order  that  the 
representatives  of  the  people  should  meet  their 
chief  magistrate  with  minds  as  little  as  possible 
infected  by    old  prejudices,  coming  as  they  did 
immediately  from  the  fountain  head  of  autho- 
rity. 


342 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
IV. 

T".  — 

Assembly. 

May  11, 

1769. 


IN  the  early  part   of  the  following   year  the 
new  assembly   convened,  agreeably   to  notice, 
and  were  addressed  by  the  governor  in  a  speech 
calculated  by  its  affectionate   and  conciliatory 
temper  to   soothe  every    irrittation  of   feeling. 
Amongst  other  tilings,  it  contained  an  assurance 
that  the  chief   governor,  by   his  majesty's  in- 
struction, would  in  future  reside  within  the  co~ 
lony.     The  reply  of  the  burgesses  was  respect- 
ful and  complimentary,  but  marked  by  a  charac- 
ter of  caution  and  reserve.     The  governor,  not- 
withstanding the  favourable  sentiments  entertain- 
ed of  his  honour  and  humanity,  had  given  of- 
fence by  the  gaudy  parade  and  pompous  pageant 
exhibited  during  die  first  day   of  the   session. 
He  was  drawn  upon  that  occasion  by  eight  milk 
white  horses,  in  a  state  coach  presented  him  for 
that  purpose  by  the  king;  and  the  same  formalities 
were  observed  as   when  the  British   sovereign 
goes  in  state  to  open  the  parliament.     A  pageant 
so  opposite  to  the  becoming  simplicity    of  past 
times,  could  not  fail  to  strike  a  body  so  enlight- 
ened, and  it  was  designed,  they  imagined   by 
this  unmeaning  glitter,  to  impress  with  reverence 
und  abasement  the  senses  of  the  people. 

THE  governor  having  pro  posed  no  specific  ob- 
jects for  their  consideration,  the  house  proceed- 
ed without  delay  to  a  spirited -inquiry  into  the  na- 
ture and  tendency  of  the  late  parliamentary  duties, 
which  they  scrupled  not  to  ascribe  to  a  delibe- 
rate intention  of  subverting  the  ancient  rights 
and  constitution  of  the  colony.  In  the  investi- 
gation of  this  important  subject,  they  were  no 
longer  embarrassed  by  the  sophistry  of  opposi- 
tion, one  unanimous  sentiment  having  absorbed 
all  the  shades  and  distinctions  of  opinion.  In  this 
spirit  the  following  resolutions  were  submitted 
« 


VIRGINIA.  343 

•'    Resolved,  nervine  contradicente^    That  the     CHAP. 
^ole  right  of  imposing  taxes  on  the  inhabitants  of  . 
this   his  majesty's  colony  and  dominion  of  Vir- 
ginia is  now,  and  ever  has  been,  legally  and  con- 
stitutionally vested  in  the  house  of  burgesses, 
lawfully  convened,  according  to  the  ancient  and 
established  practice,    with    the    consent    of  the 
council,  and  of  his  majesty  the  king  of  Britain, 
or  his  governor  for  the  time  being. 

t£  Resolved,  nemine  contradicente,  That  it  is 
the  undoubted  privilege  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
colony  to  petition  their  sovereign  for  redress  of 
grievances,  and  that  it  is  lawful  and  expedient  to 
procure  the  concurrence  of  his  majesty's  other 
colonies,  in  dutiful  addresses,  praying  the  royal 
interposition  in  favour  of  the  violated  rights  of 
America. 

"  Resolved,  nemine  contradicente,  That  all  trials 
for  treason,  misprision  of  treason,  or  for  any  fe- 
lony or  crime  whatsoever,  committed  or  done  in 
this  his  majesty's  said  colony  and  dominion,  by 
any  person  or  persons  residing  therein,  ought  of 
right  to  be  had  and  conducted  in  and  before  his 
majestj  :s  courts  held  within  his  said  colony,  ac- 
cording to  the  fixed  and  known  course  of  pro- 
ceeding ;  and  that  the  seizing  any  person  or  per- 
sons residing  in  this  colony,  suspected  of  any 
crime  whatesoever  committed  therein,  and  send- 
ing such  person  or  persons  to  places  beyond  the 
sea  to  be  tried,  is  highly  derogatory  of  the  rights 
of  British  subjects,  as  thereby  the  inestimable 
privilege  of  being  tried  by  a  jury  from  their  vi- 
cinage, as  well  as  the  liberty  of  summoning  and 
producing  witnesses  in  such  trial,  will  be  taken 
away  from  the  party  accused. 

"  Resolved,  nemme  contradicente,  That  an 
humble,  dutiful  and  loyal  address,  be  presented 

I 


344  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  to  his  majesty,  to  assure  him  of  our  inviolable  at- 
tachment  to  his  sacred  person  and  government, 
and  to  beseech  his  royal  interposition,  as  the  fa- 
ther of  all  his  people,  however  remote  from  the 
seat  of  his  empire,  to  quiet  the  minds  of  his  loy- 
al subjects  of  this  colony,  and  to  avert  from  them 
those  dangers  and  miseries  which  will  ensue  from 
the  seizing  and  carrying  beyond  sea  any  person 
residing  in  America,  suspected  of  any  crime 
whatsoever,  to  be  tried  in  any  other  manner  than 
by  the  ancient  and  long  established  course  of  pro- 
ceeding." 

IT  was  then  "  Ordered,  that  the  speaker  of 
ihis  house  do  transmit,  without  delay,  to  the 
speakers  of  the  several  houses  of  assembly  on 
this  continent,  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  now 
agreed  to  by  this  house,  requesting  their  concur- 
rence therein." 

ON  the  following  day,  as  if  no  longer  hoping* 
for  redress,  or  disdaining  to  solicit  it  from  the 
corruption  and  arrogance  of  pailiament,  an  ad- 
dress to  the  king  alone  was  agreed  to,  accompa- 
nied by  an  order  that  the  speaker  should  trans- 
mit it  to  the.  agent  of  the  colony,  "  with  direc- 
tions to  cause  the  same  to  be  presented  to  his 
most  excellent  majesty,  and  afterwards  to  be 
printed  and  published  in  the  English  papers  " 

BUT  the  governor  had  now  taken  the  alarm, 
and  at  12  o'clock  on  the  following  day,  having 
proceeded  to  the  capital,  he  sent  a  message  by 
his  secretary,  Mr.  Walthoe,  to  the  speaker  arid 
house  of  burgesses,  to  meet  him  in  the  council 
chamber :  The  summons  being  instamly  obe}  ed. 
tie  addressed  to  them  the  ominous  and  alarming 
sentence. 


VIRGINIA,  345 

Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Bur- 
gesses, 

"  I  have  heard  of  your  resolves,  and  augur  ill 
of  their  effects.  You  have  made  it  my  duty  to 
dissolve  you,  and  you  are  dissolved  accordingly." 

BUT  the  time  was  past  when  the  mere  breath 
of  authority  could  extinguish  the  light  of  justice 
ai  d  reason.  With  one  consent  the  representa- 
tives repaired  to  a  private  house  in  the  city,  and 
having  appointed  their  speaker  moderator,  a  non- 
importation agreement  was  immediately  entered 
into,  which  having  been  unanimously  signed  by 
all  the  members  present,  was  by  order  sent  for 
signatures  through  the  country.* 


*  Cofiy  of  the  Association. 

We,  bis  majesty's  most  dutiful  subjects,  the  late  repre- 
sentative* of  all  the  freeholders  of  the  colony  of  Virginia, 
avowing  our  inviolable  and  unshaken  fidelity  and  loyalty  to 
our  most  gracious  sovereign,  our  affection  for  all  our  fellow 
subjects  of  Great  Britain,  protesting  against  every  act  or 
thing  which  may  have  the  most  distant  tendency  to  inter- 
rupt or  in  anywise  disturb  his  majesty's  peace  and  the  good 
order  of  hi*  government  in  this  colony,  which  we  are  re- 
solved at  the  risk  of  our  lives  and  fortunes  to  maintain  and 
defend,  but  at  the  same  time  being  deeply  affected  with  the 
grievances  and  distresses  with  which  his  majesty's  American 
subjects  are  oppressed,  and  dreading  the  evils  which  threat- 
en the  ruin  of  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  by  reducing  us 
from  a  free  and  happy  people  to  a  wretched  and  miserable 
state  of  slavery,  and  having  taken  into  our  most  serious 
consideration  the  present  state  of  the  trade  of  this  colony 
and  of  the  American  commerce  in  general,  observe,  with 
anxiety,  that  the  debt  due  to  Great  Britain  for  goods  im- 
ported from  thence  is  very  great,  and  that  the  means  of 
paying  this  debt,  in  the  present  situation  of  affairs,  are  likely 
to  become  more  and  more  precarious ;  that  the  difficulties 
under  which  we  now  iabaur  are  owing  to  the  restrictions? 
2U 


346  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.         THESE  spirited  proceedings  had  the  beneficial 
IV-        effect  of  confirming  the  opposition  of  the  other  co- 
lonies, more  especially  of  Massachusetts,  against 
which  the  vindictive  policy  of  administration  had 


prohibitions,  and  ill  advised  regulations,  in  several  late  acts 
of  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  in  particular  that  the  late 
unconstitutional  act  imposing  duties  on  tea,  paper,  glass, 
Sec.  for  the  sole  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in  America, 
is  injurious  to  property  and  desiruc  ive  to  liberty,  hath  a 
necessary  tendency  to  prevent  the  payment  of  the  debt  due 
from  this  colony  to  Great  Britain,  and  is  of  consequence 
ruinous  to  trade  ;  that  notwithstanding  the  many  earnest  ap- 
plications already  made,  there  is  little  reason  to  expect  a 
rtdress  of  those  grievances :  Therefore,  in  justice  lo  our- 
selves and  our  posterity,  as  well  as  to  the  traders  of  Great 
Bri'ain  concerned  in  the  American  commerce,  we,  the  sub- 
scribers, have  voluntarily  and  unanimously  entered  into 
the  f  Ho  wing  resolutions,  in  hopes  that  our  example  will 
induce  the  good  people  of  this  colony  to  be  frugal  in  the 
use  and  consumption  of  British  manufactures,  and  that  the 
merchants  and  manufacturers  of  Great  Britain  may,  from 
motives  of  interest,  friendship  and  justice,  be  engaged  to 
exert  themselves  to  obtain  for  us  a  redress  of  those  griev- 
ances under  which  the  trade  and  inhabitants  of  America  at 
present  labour.  We  do  therefore  most  earnestly  recom- 
mend this  our  association  to  the  serious  attention  of  all  gen- 
tlemen merchants,  traders,  and  other  inhabitants  of  this  co- 
lony, in  hopes  that  they  will  vtry  readily  and  cordially  ac- 
cede thereto. 

First,  It  is  unanimously  agreed  on  and  resolved,  this  18tk 
day  of  May,  1769,  that  the  subscribers,  as  well  by  their  own 
example  as  all  other  legal  ways  and  means  in  their  power. 
Drill  promote  and  encourage  industry  and  frugality,  and  dis- 
courage all  manner  of  luxury  and  extravagance. 

Secondly,  That  they  will  not  at  any  time  hereafter,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  import,  or  cause  to  be  imported,  any 
manner  of  goods,  merchandise  or  manufactures,  which  are, 
or  shall  hereafter  be  taxed  by  act  of  parliament  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  a  revenue  in  America,  (except  paper  not  ex- 
ceeding tight  shillings  sterling  per  ream,  and  except  such 
articles  only  as  orders  have  been  already  sent  for)  nor  pur- 
chase any  such  after  the  first  day  of  September  next,  of 
any  person  whatsoever,  but  that  they  will  always  consider 


VIRGINIA.  347 

been  particularly  directed.   Virginia  and  her  cou-     CHAP. 
rage,  intelligence  and  patriotism,  became  through-  _ 
out  America  themes  of  grateful  panegyric.     Nor  ™ 
were  the  effects  of  her  gallant  resistance  confined 


such  taxation  in  every  respect,  as  an  absolute  prohibition, 
and  in  all  future  orders  direct  their  correspondents  to  ship 
them  no  goods  whatever  taxed  as  aforesaid,  except  as  is 
above  excepted. 

Thirdly,  That  the  subscribers  will  not  hereafter,  directly 
or  indirectly,  import,  or  cause  to  be  imported,  from  Great 
Briuin,  or  any  part  of  Europe,  (except  such  articles  of  the 
produce  or  manufacture  of  Ireland  as  may  be  immediately 
and  legally  brought  from  thence,  and  except  also  such  goods 
as  orders  have  been  already  sent  for)  any  of  the  goods 
hereinafter  enumerated,  viz.  spirits,  wine,  cider,  perry, 
beer,  ale,  malt,  barley,  pease,  beef,  pork,  fish,  butter, 
cheese,  tallow,  candles,  oil,  fruit,  sugar,  pickles,  confecti- 
onary, pewter,  hoes,  axes,  watches,  clocks,  tables,  chairs, 
looking-glasses,  carriages,  joiners  and  cabinet  work  of  all 
sorts,  upholstery  of  all  sorts,  tr'u.kets  and  jewellery,  plate 
and  gold,  and  silversmiths'  work  of  all  sorts,  ribband  and 
millinery  of  all  sorts,  lace  of  all  sorts,  India  goods  of  all.so"ts, 
(except  spices)  silks  of  all  sorts  (except  sewing  silk)  cambric, 
lawn,  muslin,  guaze,  (except  boif  ing  cloths)  calico  or  cotton 
stuffs  of  more  ihan  two  shillings  per  yard,  linen  of  more 
than  two  shillings  per  yard,  woolens,  worsted  stuffs  of  all 
sorts  of  more  than  one  shil'ing  and  sixpence  per  yaid, 
btoadcloths  of  all  kinds  at  more  than  eight  shillings  per 
yard,  narrow  cloths  of  all  kinds  at  more  than  three  shillings 
per  yard,  hats,  stockings,  (plaid  and  Irhh  hose  excepted), 
shoes,  and  boots,  saddles,  and  all  manufactures  of  leather 
and  skins  of  all  kinds,  until  the  late  acts  of  parliament  im- 
posing duties  on  tea,  paper,  glass,  &r.  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  revenue  in  America,  are  repealed  ;  and  that  they 
will  not,  after  tne  first  of  September  next,  purchase  any  of 
the  above  enumerated  good?,  of  any  person  whatsoever,  un- 
less the  above  mentioned  acts  of  parliament  are  renewed. 

Fourthly,  That  in  all  orders  which  any  of  the  subsnbers 
may  hereafter  send  to  Great  Britain,  they  shall  ;«nd  will 
expressly  direct  their  correspondents  not  to  ship  them  any 
of  the  before  enumerated  goods  until  the  before  mentioned 
acts  of  parliaments  are  repeated;  and  if  any  goods  are  ship- 
ped to  them,  contrary  to  the  tenour  of  this  agreement,  they 


348  HISTORJ  Of 

CHAP,  to  the  colonies :  It  had  made  a  deep  impression 
on  the  British  government,  which  began  at  length 
reluctantly  to  discern  that  the  conduct  hitherto 
adopted  towards  America  was  in  the  highest  de- 


will  refuse  to  take  ihe  same,  or  make  themselves  charges- 
ble  therewith. 

Fifthly,  That  they  will  not  import  any  slaves,  or  pur- 
chase any  imported,  after  the  first  day  of  November  next, 
until  the  s  ud  acts  are  repealed. 

Sixthly,  That  they  will  not  import  any  wines  of  any  kind 
whatever,  or  purchase  the  same  from  any  person  whatever, 
after  the  first  day  of  September  next,  except  such  wines  as 
are  already  ordered,  until  the  acts  of  parliament  imposing 
duties  thereon  of  parliament  are  repealed. 

Sc  vcnthly,  For  the  better  preservation  of  the  breed  of 
sheep,  that  they  will  not  kill,  or  suffer  to  be  killed,  any 
lambs  that  shall  be  yeaned  before  the  first  day  of  May,  in 
any  year,  nor  dispose  of  such  to  any  bu'cher,  or  other  per- 
son whom  they  may  have  reason  to  suspect  intends  to  kill 
the  same. 

Eightly  and  lastly,  That  these  resolves  shall  be  binding  on 
all  and  each  of  the  subscribers,  who  do  hereby  each  and  every 
person  for  himself,  upon  his  word  and  honour,  agree  thut 
he  will  strictly  and  firmly  adhere  to  and  abide  by  every  ar- 
ticle in  this  agreement,  from  the  time  of  his  signing  the 
same,  for  and  during  the  contiuanceof  the  before  mention- 
ed acts  of  parliament,  or  until  a  general  meeting  of  the  sub- 
scribers,  after  one  month's  public  notice  shall  determine 
otherwise,  the  second  article  of  this  agreement  still  and  for 
ever  continuing  in  full  power  and  force. 

Peyton  Randolph,  Robert  Carter  Nicholas,  Richard 
Bland,  Archibald  Gary,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Charles  Car- 
ter, George  Washington,  Carter  Braxton,  Severn  Eyre, 
"Richard  Randolph,  Patrick  Henry,  junr.  Peter  Johnston, 
Henry  Lee,  Nathaniel  Terry,  Thomas  Whiting,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  Thomas  Nelson,  junr;  James  Walker,  John  A- 
lexander,  Champion  Travis,  George  Ball,  Thomas  Harri- 
scn,  Thomas  Claiborne,  John  Blair,  junr.  Thomson  Mason, 
Josias  Payne,  junr.  Burvvtll  Bassett,  Richard  Anderson, 
James  Scott,  junr  John  Green,  Wilson  Miles  Gary,  Gabriel 
Jones,  Willis  Riddrck,  Thomas  Glascock,  John  Woodson, 
Ben.  Howard,  Isaac  Read,  Foushee  Tebbs,  Edward  Os- 
t>orne>  Francis  Peyton,  Abraham  Hire,  James  Wood, 


•VIRGINIA.  34 

gree  absurd  and  impracticable.  A  shock  had  been  C*J£P. 
given  to  the  feelings  and  habits  of  the  colonists, 
which  had  only  alarmed  their  jealousy  and  sharp, 
ened  their  sagacity  and  vigilance,  when  a  small 
portion  of  address,  it  was  imagined,  might  have 
aichieved  the  favourite  projects  of  ministry  with- 
out noise  or  suspicion.  It  was  necessary  to  re- 
trace their  steps  :  Cunning  must  supply  the  place 
of  violence  and  wisdom,  the  public  agitation 
composed  by  insidious  assurances,  and  suspi- 
cion lulled  into  the  calm  of  security. 

WITH  this  view  the  governors  of  the  several 
colonies  were  instructed  to  inform  the  several  as- 
semblies, that  it  was  at  no  time  the  intention  of  his 
majesty's  ministers  to  raise  an  American  revenue, 
and  that  the  duties  complained  of  would  be  cer- 
tainly repealed.  The  governor  of  Virginia  had 
by  his  honest  and  sensible  representations  to  the 
ministry,  eminently  contributed  to  bring  about 
this  change.  Humane,  disinterested  and  honoura- 
ble, he  had  declared  his  intention  of  resigning 
his  government,  unless  compltte  justice  was  done 
to  their  loyalty  and  patriotism,  which  he  avowed  to 
be  equal  to  those  of  any  subjects  in  the  empire.  On 


Richard  Baker,  Edwin  Gray,  Robert  Munford,  Henry  Tay- 
lor, Joseph  Cabell,  Alex.  Trent,  John  Mayo,  David  Ma- 
son, Wm.  Macon,  junr  Hugh  lones,  Boiling  Stark,  Robert 
Boiling,  Paul  Carrington,  Thos  Walker,  Wm.  Cabell,  jun. 
Nathaniel  Edwards,  junr.  Bobtrt  Rutherford, Thos.  Barber, 
Charles  Lynch,  Jaaies  Hamilton,  John  Wiison,  Wm.  Clay- 
ton, Robert  Munford,  Mecklenburg,  Thomas  Bailey,  Thos. 
Scott,  Lewis  Burwell,  John  Harmanson,  Thomas  Parra- 
tnore,  John  Do  islson,  Cornelius  Thomas,  Thomas  John- 
son, John  Lewis,  junr.  Wm  Rone,  Wm.  Acrrill,  Hartwell 
Coke,  John  Taibot,  Richard  Lee,  Joseph  Hutchings,  P2d- 
ward  Hack  Mosely,  junr.  John  Ackiss,  James  Bridger,  Da- 
vid Mead,  Southy  Simpson,  Peter  Poythress,  Philip  Lud 
well  Grymss  ;  Richard  Siarke,  clerk  to  the  association. 


350  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     the  strength  of  those  assurances,  received  from 
. .  the  secretary  for  American  affairs,  the  assembly 
Assembly,    was  convened.* 


*  Gentlemen  of  the  Council,  Mr.  S/icaker,  and  Gentlemen  of 
the  House  of  Burgesses. 

I  think  myself  peculiarly  fortunate  to  be  able  to  inform 
you,  that  in  a  letter  dited  May  the  13th,  I  have  been  as- 
sured by  the  earl  of  Hdlsbirough,  that  his  majesty's  pre- 
sent administration  have  at  no  time  entertained  a  design  to 
propose  to  parliament  Co  lay  any  further  taxes  upon  Ame- 
rica for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue,  and  that  it  is  their 
mtention  to  propose  in  the  next  session  of  parliament,  to 
take  off  the  duties  upon  glass,  paper  and  colours,  upon  con- 
sideration of  such  duties  having  been  laid  contrary  to  the 
true  principl-s  of  commerce. 

It  may  possibly  be  objected,  that  as  his  majesty's  present 
administration  are  not  im  Tiortal,  their  successors  may  be 
inclined  to  attempt  to  undo  *vhat  the  present  ministers  shall 
have  i*  empted  to  perform  ;  and  to  that  objection  I  can  give 
but  this  answer,  that  it  is  my  firm  opinion  that  the  plan  I 
have  stated  to  you  will  certainly  take  place,  and  that  it  will 
never  r>e  departed  from,  and  so  determined  am  I  for  ever  to 
abide  by  it,  that  I  will  be  content  to  be  declared  infamous  if 
I  do  not  to  the  last  hour  of  my  life,  at  all  times,  in  all 
places,  and  up  in  all  occasiois,  exert  every  power  with  which 
I  either  am  or  shall  be  legally  invested,  in  order  to  obtain 
and  maintain  for  the  continent  of  America  that  satisfaction 
which  I  iiave  been  authorised  to  promise  this  day,  by  the 
confidential  servants  of  our  gracious  sovereign,  who,  to  my 
certain  knowledge,  rates  his  honour  so  high,  that  he  wou.ld 
rather  part  with  his  crown  than  preserve  it  by  deceit. 


To  his  excellency  the  right  honourable  Norbonne  baron  de 
Boietourt,  his  majesty's  lieutenant  and  governor  general 
of  the  colony  and  dominion  of  Virginia,  and  vice-admiral 
of  the  same. 

The  humble  Address  of  the  Council. 
My  Lord, 

We,  his  nnjes*tv's  dutiful  subjects,  the  council  of  Virgi- 
nia, now  met  in  general  assembly,  return  your   excellency 


VIRGINIA.  351 

THE  effect  of  these  assurances  was  instanta-     CHAP, 
neous  :  Every  eye  glistened  with  pleasure,  and        IV<   ,. 
in  the   midst   of  their  gratitude   to  heaven  for 
their  promised   deliverance  from  bondage,  they 
did  not  forget  the  benevolent  spirit,  whose  coun- 


our  sincerest  thanks  for  your  kind  speech  at  the  opening  of 
this  session,  and  for  the  opportunity  you  have  afforded  us  of 
dispatching  the  public  business  of  this  dominion.  Your  ex- 
cellency may  be  assured  that  the  several  matters  you  have 
so  earnestly  recommended  to  the  legislature  at  this  time, 
will  be  attenckd  to,  and  cor  sidered  by  the  council  with  all  the 
temper  and  moderation  which  the  importance  of  them  re- 
quires ;  and  that  we  shall  give  a  cheerful  and  ready  compli- 
ance with  all  such  measures  as  may  best  promote  the  ho- 
nour of  the  crown,  and  the  happiness  of  his  majesty's  sub- 
jects in  Virginia.  The  information  your  excellency  has  been 
pleased  to  give  us  of  the  intention  of  his  majesty's  ministers, 
to  propose  in  the  next  session  of  parliament  to  take  off  the 
duty  upon  paper,  glass  and  colours,  is  extremely  agreeable 
to  us  ;  as  a  repeal  of  the  revenue  act  will  be  the  most  effec- 
tual method  to  heal  the  differences  that  have  unhappily  sub- 
sisted between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies,  and  to  restore 
that  harmony  and  mutual  confidence  which  are  so  necessary 
for  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  both.  We  acknowledge, 
with  particular  satisfaction,  that  our  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations, upon  your  excellency's  arrival  in  the  colony,  have 
been  fully  answered,  by  the  experience  we  have  already  had 
of  your  prudent,  wise  and  equitable  administration;  and  we 
look  upon  it  as  a  sure  presage  of  happiness  to  this  country. 


To  which  his  excellency  was  pleased  to  return  the  follow- 
ing answer. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Council, 

I  accept  with  the  utmost  thankfulness  your  very  affection- 
ate address,  and  am  proud  to  acknowledge  that  I  stand  in- 
debted to  your  able  and  friendly  counsel  for  that  degree  of 
credit  with  which  I  have  been  honoured  by  this  respectable 
dominion. 


352  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     sels  had  softened  the   hearts  and  convinced  the 
_  judgment   of  their  oppressors.     The   venerable 
"  image  of  Botetouit  was  enshrined  in  every  breast ; 
every  tongue  was  wanton  in  his  praise.    Nor  was 


To  his  excellency  the  right  houourable  Norborne  haron  de 
Botetourt,  his  majesty's  lieutenant  and  governor  general 
of  the  colony  and  dominion  of  Virginia,  and  vice-admi- 
ral of  the  same. 

The  humble  Address  of  the  House  of  Burgesses* 
My  Lord) 

We,  his  majesty's  most  dutiful  and  loyal  subjects,  the 
burgesses  of  Virginia,  now  met  in  general  assembly,  brg 
leave  to  return  your  excellency  our  sincere  and  unfeigned 
thanks  for  your  very  kind  and  affectionate  speech  at  the 
opening  of  this  session. 

It  gives  us  great  pleasure,  that  we  have  again  the  ho- 
nour ef  meeting  your  lordship  in  general  assembly,  as  it 
affords  us  an  opportunity  of  renewing  to  your  excellency 
the  strongest  assurances  of  our  uninterrupted  and  most  in- 
violable attachment  to  the  sacred  person  and  government  of 
our  royal  sovereign,  and,  at  the  same  time,  of  discharging 
the  important  duties  we  owe  to  our  constituents. 

We  should  think  ourselves  extremely  dtficient  in  dtry 
and  affection  to  the  best  of  kings,  were  we  not  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  warmest  sentiments  of  gra ;ituile  by  his  ma- 
jesty's moat  gracious  purpose  of  recommending  to  his  par- 
liament a 'repeal  of  the  act  imposing  duties  upon  glass,  pa- 
per and  colours ;  especially,  as  we  cannot  doubt  bu^  that 
the  same  wisdom  and  goodness,  which  have  already  induced 
his  majesty  favourably  to  regard  the  humble  entreaties  of 
his  faithlul  subjects  in  America,  will  still  farther  incline  the 
royal  breast  to  an  exertion  of  his  majesty's  graci-  us  and 
benign  influence,  towards  perfecting  the  happiness  of  all 
his  people. 

It  adds  greatly,  my  lord,  to  our  satisfaction  and  com- 
fort, to  learn  from  your  excellency  that  hiu  majesty's  pre° 
sent  administration  have  at  no  time  entertained  a  design  to 
propose  to  parliament  the  laying  any  farther  taxes  upon, 
America,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  ;  and  *ve 
will  not  suffer  our  present  hopes,  arising  from  the  pleasing 


VIRGINIA.  358 

ft  only  by  his  conduct  that  he  had  endeared  him-     CHAF. 
self  to   Virginia:  His  private  virtues,   displayed 
continually    without  effort    or  ostentation,    en- 
shrined him  in  the  hearts  of  all  men. 

AN  address  to  the  governor  was  agreed  to, 
praying  that  he  would  use  his  best  offices  to  pro- 
cure for  the  colony  a  circulation  of  copper  money ; 
they  at  the  same  time  expressed  their  wishes  fora 
more  extended  western  boundary,  but  declared 
their  willingness  to  acquiesce,  provided  that 
could  not  be  obtained,  in  the  boundary  proposed 
by  their  sovereign.*  At  length,  by  desire  of 


prospect  your  lordship  hath  so  kindly  opened  and  displayed 
to  us,  to  be  clashed  by  the  bitter  reflection  that  any  future 
administration  will  entertain  a  wish  to  drpart  from  that  plan, 
which  affords  the  surest  and  most  permanent  foundation  of 
public  tranquility  and  happiness  :  No,  my  lord,  we  arc  sure 
our  most  gracious  sovereign,  under  wha'ever  changes  may 
happen  in  his  cci.fidential  servants,  uill  regain  immutable 
in  the  ways  of  truth  and  justice,  and  that  lie  is  incapable  of 
deceiving:  his  faithful  subjects ;  and  we  esteem  your  lord- 
ship's information  not  only  as  warranted,  but  even  sanctified 
by  the  royal  word. 


To  which  his  exellency  was  pleased  to  return  the  following 
answer. 

Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  vf  the  House  of  Burgesset^ 

Your  kind  and  affectionate  address  brightens  my  pros- 
pect, and  fills  me  with  the  delightful  expectation  of  com- 
pletely answering  the  purposes  of  my  royal  master.  May 
the  Almighty  secure  to  me  that  mosi  desirable  object,  by  di» 
recting  your  counsels  for  the  advantage  and  prosperity  of 
all  his  majesty's  extensive  dominions,  and  may  you  continue 
a  loyal,  free  and  happy  people,  till  time  shall  be  no  more. 

*  Your  memorialists  beg  leave  to  observe  that  the  said  line? 
if  extended   from  the  intersection  of  Holston's  river,  the 
2  W 


354 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP,  the  governor,  they  adjourned  themselves  for  the 
purpose  of  affording  leisure  tor  the  session  of  the 
general  court. 

WHILST  these  things  were  passing  in  Virgi- 
nia, events  of  a  bolder  character  had  rapidly  sue- 


in 


setts. 
1769, 


point  which  would  terminate  the  line  dividing  this  colony 
from  North  Carolina,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Kanhaway9 
would  be  ntar  two  hundred  miles  in  length,  and  must  pass 
through  a  country  abounding  with  high  and  ragged  moun- 
tains extremely  d-fncult  and  dangerous  of  access,  and  inter- 
sected by  many  wattr  courses;  that  the  present  posture  of 
Indian  affairs  would  muke  a  strong  guard  of  armed  men  ne* 
cessary  for  the  prottction  of  those  who  might  be  commis- 
sioned to  run  such  a  line,  as  it  must  necessarily  pass  thro* 
a  country  uninhabited,  and  through  which  those  Indians 
who  seem  at  present  most  inclined  to  hostilities,  do  fre- 
quently take  their  routes. 

That  by  establishing  such  line,  a  great  part  of  that  most 
valuable  country,  lying  on  the  Ohio,  below  the  mouth  of 
the  Grtut  Kanhavay,  lately  ceded  to  his  majesty  by  the 
northern  Indians,  would  be  separated  and  divided  from  the 
British  territory,  on  the  upper  part  of  Holston's  river,  the 
Great  Kanbuway  and  the  Ohio,  which  your  memorialists 
humbly  conceive  must  greatly  impede,  and  may  totally  pre* 
vent  the  settlement  of  that  fertile  and  extensive  country* 
which,  from  its  situation  end  many  natural  advantages 
would  open  the  fairest  prospect  of  a  very  beneficial  com- 
merce  to  cur  mother  country,  by  securing  to  his  majesty's 
subjects  a  new  and  extensive  trade  with  the  several  tribes  of 
western  Indians,  which  has  hitherto  been  almost  engrossed 
by  the  subjects  of  France;  and  by  this  means  many  Indi- 
an nations  heretofore  living  at  enmity  with  our  most  gra- 
cious sovereign  and  his  subject*,  might  be  made  fr  endly 
and  useful  in  extending  the  trade  and  navigation  with  Great 
Britain. 

That  your  memorialists  have  the  greatest  reason  to  fear 
that  the  said  line,  if  confirmed}  would  constantly  open  to 
the  Indians  ind  oihers,  enemies  to  his  majesty,  a  free  and 
cas>  ir.prrss  to  the  heart  of  the  country,  en  the  Ohio,  Hoi. 
stM-'s  river,  and  the  Great  Kanhaway,  \vhcreby  the  settle, 
n.ent*  which  may  be  attempted  in  those  quarters  will  in  all 
pu  liability  be  utterly  destroyed,  and  that  great  extent 
oi  country,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Kanhaway  to  the 


VIRGINIA.  3S 

needed  each  other  in  the  province  of  Massachu-     CHAP, 
setts.   After  the  circular  letter  to  the  other  colo-        IV- 
nies,  which  has  been  already  alluded  to,  gover- 
nor Bernard  laid  before  the  house  of  representa- 
tives an  extract  of  a  letter  from  the  earl  of  Hills- 
borough,  declaring  his  majesty's  concern,  "  that 
a  house,  at  the  end  of  a   session,  should  have 


mouth  of  the  CheroVee  river,  extending  eastward  as  far 
as  the  Lawrell  Hills,  so  very  lately  ceded  to  hi*  majesty, 
and  to  which  no  tribe  of  Indians  at  present  sets  up  any  pre- 
tensions, will  be  entirely  abandoned  to  the  Cherokees;  in 
consequence  of  which  claims  totally  destructive  ot  the  true 
interests  of  his  majesty  may  at  some  future  time  arise,  and 
acquisitions  justly  ranked  amongst  the  most  valuable  of  the 
late  war,  be  altogether  lost. 

Your  memorialists  further  beg  leare  to  represent  to  your 
lordship,  that  lands  which  have  been  granted  by  patents  re- 
gularly obtained,  according  to  the  known  and  fixed  rules  of 
this  government,  if  the  said  line  were  to  take  piaac,  would 
be  entirely  dismembered  from  this  colony,  allotted  to  the 
Indians,  and  entirely  lost  to  the  proprietors,  who  were  au- 
thorised by  law,  and  encouraged  by  the  royal  instruction  of 
his  lar.e  majesty  to  his  governor,  to  explore  and  settle  this 
new  country  at  the  risk  of  their  Hres,  and  at  a  great  ex- 
pense. 

Your  memorialists,  from  these  weighty  considerations, 
have  been  induced  to  extend  their  views,  and  do  humbly  of- 
fer, as  their  opinion,  that  a  lint  beginning  at  tlie  western 
termination  of  tht  North  Carolina  line,  and  running  thence 
in  a  due  west  direction  to  the  river  Ohio,  may  be  accom- 
plished at  a  much  lets  expense  than  the  other  line  proposed  ; 
that  the  extension  of  such  a  line  is  necessary  for  the  safety 
aria  advantage  of  his  majesty**  subjects,  and  that  it  would 
lend  greatly  to  the  increase  of  his  majesty'*  revenue,  and  to 
the  promotion  of  the  trade  and  navigation  of  the  western 
part  of  this  dominion,  if  a  purchase  were  made  of  the  Che- 
rokee Indians  of  all  their  lands,  which  such  due  western 
line  vould  include;  especially  if  his  majesty  would  be  gra- 
ciously pleased  in  his  royal  wisdom  to  discourage  all  mono- 
polies of  those  lands,  and  strengthen  our  barrier  by  grant- 
ing them  in  small  or  moderate  quantities,  to  such  adven- 
turers as  might  incline  to  seat  and  settle  the  same. 


355  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     presumed  to  revert  to,  and  resolve  upon,  a  mea~ 
sure  ot  so  inflammatory  a  nature  as  that  of  writ- 
ing to  the  other  colonies  on  the  subject  of  their 
intended  representations  against  some  late  acts 
ot  parliament,  and  signifying  his  majesty's  plea- 
sure, that  the  governor   should  require  of  the 
house  of  representatives,   in  his  majesty's  name, 
to  rescind  the  resolution  which  gave  birth  to  the 
circular  letter  from  the  speaker,  and  to  declare 
their  disapprobotion  of  and  dissent  from   that 
rash  and  hasty  proceeding.?'     The  house  having 
for  some  time  endeavoured  to  evade  this  requisi- 
tion, at  lengih  agreed  to  a  reply  to  the  letter  of 
Hillsborough,  by  a  majority  of  ninety- three  to 
thirteen,  in  which  they  defended  with  masculine 
energy  their   circular,  and  by  bold  insinuation 
ascribe  the  resentment  of  their  sovereign   to  the 
base  misre presentations  and  perfidious  counsels  of 
that  desperate  faction  which  had  invariably  sought 
to  embroil  the  tranquility  of  society.     The  ques- 
tion for  rescinding  being  then  taken,  it  was  de- 
cided in  the  negative  by  a  majority  of  ninety. two 
to  seventeen.     The  immediate  consequence  of 
these  measures  was  as  usual  a  dissolution  of  the 
assembly,  a  procedure  in  the  present  agitation  of 
the  public  sentiment  utterly  inefficient. 

AN  event  meanwhile  occurred  which  evinced 
the  popular  irritation  more  strongly  than  lan- 
guge.  The  sloop  Liberty,  belonging  to  John 
Hancock,  having  been  seized  by  the  collector 
and  comptroller  of  the  customs,  the  populace 
assembled  in  great  numbers,  beat  the  officers  and 
their  assistants,  took  possession  of  the  collec-^ 
tor's  boat,  which  they  burnt  in  triumph,  and 
patrolled  the  streets.  The  revenue  officers, 
alarmed  for  their  safety,  fled  first  on  board  the 
Rpmhey  man  of  war,  and  afterwards  to  Castle 
William.  The  governor  in  vain  moved  the  council 


VIRGINIA.  357 

to  devise  some  means  for  restoring  its  former  vi- 
gour and  firmness  to  government.    That  virtuous 
body  replied ,. that  "  the  disorders  which  happened 
were  occasioned  by  the  violent  and  unprecedent- 
ed manner  in  which  the  sloop  Liberty  had  been 
seized  by  the  officers  of  the  customs."     The  in- 
habitants of  Boston,  on    the  strength  of  several 
affidavits,  affirmed  that  the  haughty  conduct  of 
the  commissions  and  their  creatures,  had  been 
the  sole  cause  of  the  late  tumults.  The  popular  ir- 
ritation was  still  farther  inflamed  by  the  captain  of 
the  Romney  man  of  war,  who,  having  modred 
in  close  with  the  town,  committed  several  out- 
rages evincive  of  a  determined  hostility.     A  pe- 
tition was  presented  to  the  governor  for  the  re- 
inovil  of  the  Romney,  and  the  streets  were  again 
patrolled  by  large  bodies  of  people,  breathing 
vengeance  against    the  authors  of  the  late  arbi- 
trary and  unprecedented  proceedings.     A  com- 
mittee of  both  houses,  however,  thought  proper 
to   disapprove  of  the  popular  excesses,  and  for 
the  sake  of  form,  it  was  imagined,  directed  suits 
to  be  instituted  against  the  authors  and  abettors 
of  the  late  riots.     It  was  signified,  meanwhile, 
that  a  body  of  troops  might  be  expected  in  Bos- 
ton, and  the  popular  suspicion  being  every  mi- 
nute excited  by  new  arid  unusual  appearances  al- 
ternately of  menace  and  reserve  on  the  part  of  the 
government,  the  committee  of  Boston  resolved, 
"  that  to  levy  money  within  that  province  by  any 
other  authority    than  that  of  the  general   court, 
was  a  violation  of  the  royal  charter,   and  of  the 
undoubted  natural  right  of  British  subjects. 

"  THAT  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Boston  would,  at  the  peril  of 
their  lives  and  fortunes,  take  all  legal  and  consti- 
tutional measures  to  defend  all  and  singular  the 


35$  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     rights,   liberties,    privileges,    and    immunities? 
1  v*        granted  in  their  royal  charter. 

"  THAT,  as  there  was  an  apprehension  in  the 
minds  of  many  of  an  approaching  war  with 
France,  those  inhabitants  who  were  not  provided 
with  arms,  should  be  requested  duly  to  observe 
the  laws  of  the  province,  which  required  that 
every  householder  should  furnish  himself  with  a 
complete  stand." 

"  THEY  further  resolved,  "  that  as  the  gover- 
nor did  not  think  proper  to  call  a  general  court 
for  the  redress  of  their  grievances,  the  town 
would  then  make  choice  of  a  suitable  number  of 
persons  to  act  for  them  as  a  committee  in  a  con- 
vention, to  be  held  at  Fanueil  hall  in  Boston,  with 
such  as  might  be  sent  to  join  them  from  the  se- 
veral towns  in  the  province." 

THE  advice  of  the  committee  had  all  the  effects 
of  law,  and  the  conventional  deputies  assembled 
at  Faneuil  Hall  clothed  with  authority  superior 
to  all  the  trappings  of  kings ;  the  love,  the  re- 
spect, the  gratitude  of  a  virtuous  people.  After 
disclaiming  all  other  title  save  that  of  mere  indi- 
viduals, they  petitioned  the  governor  to  assemble 
the  general  court,  and  having  instructed  their  agent 
of  their  real  character  and  the  motives  which  in- 
duced their  assemblage,  they  rose  after  recom- 
mend ing  patience  and  moderation  to  the  people. 
THEIR  session  had  scarcely  closed  when  two 
regiments,  commanded  by  colonel  Ddrymple, 
marched  into  Boston  with  bayonets  fixed  and  mi- 
litary music,  and  the  select  men  having^  refused 
to  furnish  them  with  quarters,  the  state- house 
was  by  order  of  die  governor  prepared  for  their 
reception,  and  two  pieces  of  cannon  were  post- 
ed in  its  front  with  the  obvious  and  professed 
view  of  awing  the  townsmen.  This  insulting 
pageant  was  calculated  to  inflame  the  already  ir* 


VIRGINIA.  35 

ritated  feelings  of  the  people,  and  it  was  with  the  c^p< 
utmost  difficulty  that  they  were  restrained  by  the 
magistrates  from  rushing  on  the  guard,  and  pre- 
cipitating every  thing  into  confusion  and  hostili- 
ty. The  measure  of  suffering  and  insult  was  not 
yet  full,  and  it  was  conceived  more  politic  that 
the  resistance  of  the  people  should  be  still  far- 
ther justified  by  the  last  acts  of  military  violence. 
This  justification  was  not  long  wanting.  Seve- 
ral affrays  having  taken  place,  arising  wholly  from 
the  insolence  of  the  soldiery  and  indignation  of 
the  people,  at  length  captain  Preston  issued  out 
from  the  state- house  with  the  principal  part  of 
the  main  guard,  and  the  scuffle  having  become 
more  general  and  alarming,  he  ordered  his  men 
to  fire,  by  which  four  of  the  townsmen  were 
killed. 

THE  alarm  bells  immediately  rung;  the 
drums  beat  to  arms,  and  an  immense  multitude 
rushing  together  from  all  quarters,  were  restrain- 
ed only  by  the  extraordinary  address  and  persua- 
sions of  the  lieutenant  governor  and  other  influ- 
ential characters  from  attacking  the  29th  regiment 
drawn  up  in  order  of  battle  in  King  street.  They 
were  at  length  prevailed  on  to  disperse  on  the  so- 
lemn assurance,  that  the  laws  should  be  enforced 
on  the  murderers,  and  after  the  29th  regiment 
had  been  marched  to  their  barracks.  But  on 
the  following  day,  as  if  not  satisfied  with  these 
assurances,  it  was  unanimously  resolved,  in  an 
address  by  the  people  to  the  lieutenant  governor, 
'*  that  the  inhabitants  and  soldiers  can  no  longer 
live  together  in  safety ;  that  nothing  can  ration- 
ally be  expected  to  restore  the  peace  of  the  town 
and  prevent  farther  blood  and  carnage,  but  the 
immediate  removal  of  the  troops ;  and  they  there- 
fore most  fervently  pray  his  honour  that  his  pow- 


360 


HISTORY  OF 


1770. 


Virginia 
assembly, 


er  and  influence  might  be  exerted  for  their  in* 
slant  removal," 

THE  answer  of  the  lieutenant  governor,  altho' 
i't  declared  his  abhorrence  of  the  late  outrage ; 
although  it  promised  the  immediate  removal  of 
the  -29th  regiment,  and  that  the  14th  regiment 
should  be  so  disposed  of  and  laid  under  such  re- 
strictions, that  all  occasions  of  future  disturb- 
ance  should  be  removed,"  was  resolved  to  be 
unsatisfactory,  and  the  former  vote  having  been 
submitted  to  the  council  by  Mr.  Hutchinson, 
the  successor  of  the  late  governor,  they  were 
unanimously  of  opinion,  "  that  it  was  absolutely 
necessary  for  his  majesty's  service,  and  the  good 
order  of  the  town,  and  the  peace  of  the  province, 
that  the  troops  should  be  immediately  removed 
out  of  the  town  oi  Boston." 

THIS  opinon  having  been  made  known  to  coL 
Dalrymple,  he  pledged  his  honour  that  prepara- 
tions should  immediately  commence  for  their  re- 
moval, and  tranquility  was  restored.  Captain 
Preston  was  soon  after  brought  to  trial  and  ac- 
quitted. 

MEANWHILE  the  representatives  of  the  people 
had,  daring  their  adjournment  reflected  more 
maturely  on  the  late  assurances  of  Hillbborough, 
communicated  by  the  governor,  and  although 
they  felt  no  abatement  ot  their  gratitude  and  at- 
tachment to  this  excellent  man,  they  began  to  en- 
tertain serious  doubts  of  the  sincerity  of  the  mi- 
nister. Under  these  impressions  a  protest  was 
solemnly  entered  on  their  journals,  expressive 
of  their  conviction  that  partial  remedies  were  in- 
competent to  heal  the  present  disorders.*  The 


*  They  voted  as  a  protest  manifesting   their  dissatisfac- 
f  iou  wiih  it,  a  petition  to  the  king,  asserting  the  rights  they 


VIRGINIA,  361 

humane  Botetourt,  who  was  himself  imposed  on    CHAP, 
by  the  insidious  artifices  of  ministers,  was  hurt  _ 
at  what  he   regarded   a  suspicion  and  impeach.  " 
ment  of  his  honour  and  veracity.     But  his  exer- 
tions were  notwithstanding  unabated,  to  realize 
to  the  colonists  the  promised  blessings.  The  as- 
sembly was  prorogued  to  the  llth  of  November 
in  the  following  year. 

THIS  year  died  Norborne  lord  Botetourt,  go- 
vernor of  Virginia,  a  man  possessed  of  every  Death  and 
public  and  private  virtue  which  can  adorn  hu- 
man  nature.  Employed  by  a  corrupt  minister  on  tourt 
account  of  his  splendid  rank  and  engaging  ad- 
dress, to  awe,  intimidate  or  seduce  t*  e  integrity 
and  patriotism  of  Virginia,  he  made  his  public 
entry  as  has  been  already  noticed,  with  the  pomp 
and  splendour  of  majesty  itself.  He  was  told 
that  the  people  of  his  government  were  disposed 
to  mutiny  and  rebellion ;  that  they  were  licenti- 
ous and  immoral,  and  spurntd  at  the  just  autho- 
rity of  the  parent  state.  As  the  difficulties  he 
must  encounter  were  ob/iously  great,  it  was  re- 
presented that  great  wrould  be  the  glory  of  re- 
claiming them  to  order  and  government.  He 
came ;  he  looked  around  him ;  he  judged  for  him- 
self.  Instead  of  mutiny,  immorality  and  trea- 
son, he  saw  a  people,  devoted  indeed  to  liberty, 
and  ready  to  seal  their  attachment  with  their 


had  heretofore  maintained ;  and  as  individuals,  immedi- 
ately signed  an  association,  in  which  they  were  joined 
by  several  respectable  merchants  of  the  country  then  met 
at  Williamsburg,  by  which  they  renewed  their  non-impor- 
tation agreement,  with  respect  to  certain  enumerated  ai ti- 
des, not  of  absolu'.e  necessity,  and  engaged  to  continue  it 
uatil  the  duty  on  tea  should  be  repealed. 

Life  of  Wa»hingtQr^  jia/4  139, 

2X 


62  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  blood;  but  at  the  sane  time  loyal,  just,  hnman08 
disposed  to  affection,  and  won  even  b}  trifiii  g 
kindress.  The  ieMilt  of  tl  ese  observations  was 
in  various  shapes  transmitted  to  his  government^ 
and  various  artifices  were  used  by  fallacious  hopes 
and  studied  delays,  to  impose  at  once  on  the  go- 
Vf-rnor  and  people  of  Virginia.  Disgusted  at 
length  with  these  hollow  assurances,  he  indig- 
nantly demanded  his  recal,  and  the  sense  of  his 
own  violated  honour  added  to  his  sorrow7  for  the 
condition  of  the  colony,  preyii;g  on  a  delicate 
constitution  and  a  keen  sensibility,  he  was  taken 
off  by  an  acute  disease  after  a  few  days  illness, 
regretted  by  all  as  their  friend,  their  benefactor, 
their  father.* 


*  In  1768  lord  Botetourt  began  his  administration,  as  go- 
vernor in  chit  f;  the  first  governor,  I  think,  since  lord  Cul- 
peper,  uho  condescended  to  come  to  this  colony  :  And  he 
ca«Tie  with  a  sincere  hope  that  he  could  heal  the  wounds 
which  Virginia  and  the  other  colonies  had  received.  He  did 
his  utmost  to  remove  from  the  minds  of  the  ministry  theif 
suspicion,  that  Virginia  was  disposed  to  throw  off  fhe  go- 
vernment of  Britain,  affirming  as  he  did,  in  letters  which 
he  gave  open  to  Peyton  Randolph  and  R.  C.  Nicholas,  and 
which  they  read  and  then  sealed  with  his  seal,  and  sent  to 
lord  Hilh  borough.  I  think  that  the  king  of  Great  Britain 
h;»d  not  more  loyal  subjects  in  the  whole  extent  of  his  do- 
minions tjian  the  people  of  Virginia.  And  as  soon  as  the 
oppressive  nature  of  the  several  taxes  laid  by  the  British 
parliament  on  the  colonies,  wns  pointed  out  to  him  by  those 
pat'iotic  gentlemen,  he  never  ceased  to  mge  on  the  mini- 
stry the  propriety  of  heir  repeal;  and  cnce  had  actually 
obtained  such  a  promise  as  he  thought  he  could  rely  on, 
and  with  the  highest  satisfaction  ann  unced  it  to  the  gene- 
ral assembly.  But  fit  diritr  himself  deceived  by  a  perfidious 
jrovi  inn  e»  t,  he  boldlv  demanded  his  recal,  and  declared 
tha^  he  would  not  be  their  ti.ol,  or  attempt  to  oppress  an  in- 
iH'ceni  ai.d  virtuous  people.  He  survived  this  manly  exer- 
cise uf  .i.i*  ut'gimnt,  u.fWnctd  n>  sentiments  of  honour 
and  bounu  poiuicul  justice,  but  a  few  months,  as  he  died  in 


VIRGINIA.  363 

BY  the  death  of  the  governor  in  chief,  the  go-     CHAP, 
vernment  devolved  on   William   Nelson,  pre6i- 
dent  of  council,  and  the  assembly  having  been 
previously   prorogued,  in  order   to  afford  time 


the  fall  after,  of  a  billions  fever,  which  I  thought  was  great- 
ly aggravated  by  his  chagrin  and  disappointment.  He  was 
a  generous  patron  of  'he  arts  and  scimces,  giving  out  of 
his  private  purse  valuable  silver  and  gokl  medals  as  prizes 
to  the  students  at  college,  and  paid  an  incredible  atten'i'-n 
to  the  p  ofessors  and  students  at  William  and  Mary  col- 
lege. For  these  reasons,  most  deservedly  the  general  as- 
sembly erected  his  statue,  as  a  monument  to  his  memory,  in 
the  area  of  their  capitol,  although  the  inscriptions  express 
imperfectly  what  the  members  knew  and  felt. 

He  was  easy  of  access,  even  to  the  poorest,  whether 
they  called  on  him  thr  ugh  mere  curiosity,  as  many  did, 
or  on  business;  in  either  case,  such  w  ;s  his  happy  temper 
aid  disposition,  that  all  left  him  satisfied.  He  expedited 
business  in  the  supreme  courts  by  his  early  and  constant  at- 
tendance ;  meeting  the  councillors  on  the  bench  nearly 
two  hours  sooner  than  they  had  ever  been  accustouied  to 
meet,  and  detaining  them  t'  ere  an  l<our  or  two  longer  than 
any  other  governor  had  done.  And  'he  business  of  the 
county  court  he  expedited  by  leaviny  OIK  ot  the  rnnm.is- 
sion  of  justices  the  names  of  those  who  neglected  to  attend 
without  sufficient  cause. 

Botetourt  began  his  administration  with  great  parade  ; 
he  met  the  assembly  io  a  btate  coach  which  had  bttn  pre- 
sented to  him  by  the  king,  and  in  imitation  of  his  sovereign 
this  equipage  was  drawn  by  six  white  hordes,  which  slowly 
drew  him  fro-n  the  palace  to  the  capitol.  As  well  as  I 
can  recollect,  his  lordship  laid  aside  this  pompous  ceremo- 
ny when  he  found  it  produced  none  of  the  desired  effects. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  he  had  been  instructed  to  im- 
press us  generally  with  ideas  of  royal  splendour  and  its  at- 
tendant  power,  and  to  diffuse  by  this  means  into  minds  sus- 
cesptible  of  it,  a  hopcr  of  being  elevated  to  stations  where 
some  portion  of  this  splendour  mij;ht  be  enjoved.  In 
short,  it  cannot  be  doubted  (notwithstanding  his  Ivnest  de- 
claration to  the  British  minister)  that  he  would  have  coaxed 
us  or  bullied  us  into  a  submission  to  the  will  of  his  royal 
master  if  he  could,  when  he  first  came  amongst  us.  But 


364  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     for  a  more  mature  reflection  on  the  affairs  of  the 
iv-        colony,  assembled  at  length  on  the  18th  of  July, 
"  and  proceeded  without  delay  to  the  dispatch  of 
business   Notwithstanding  the  great  events  which 
agitated  Virginia  in  common  with  all   America, 
the  virtues  ot  the  late  g<  y ,  rnor  were  not  forgot- 
ten,  and  the  regrets  of  the  house  of  burgesses 
displayed  themselves  in  a  manner  equally   wor- 
thy of  the  deceased  and  the  long  established  cha- 
racter of  the  colony.* 

BUT  in  the  midst  of  this  generous  sympathy 
for  departed  greatness,  their  attention  was  at- 
tracted to  other  objects.  A  project  was  in  agi- 
tation amongst  a  few  fanatics,  at  the  head  of 
whom  was  professor  Camm,  to  introduce  an 
American  episcopate,  with  the  professesed  view 


he  had  too  much  feeling  not  to  feel  for  us  when  he  saw  our 
oppression  ;  too  much  of  a  manly  spirit  to  wish  to  have  that 
crushed,  which  as  a  brave  Englishman,  he  must  have 
thought  was  glorious  in  the  descendants  of  their  loyal  fel- 
low subject  of  Britain,  and  he  had  too  high  a  sense  of  honour 
not  to  desist  from  the  base  attempt  which  he  saw  was  made 
to  deceive,  oppress  and  enslave  a  virtuous  people,  and  no 
small  portion  of  his  fellow  subjects. 

*  "Resolved,  nemine  cantradicente,  That  an  elegant  Statue 
of  his  late  excellency,  the  right  honourable  Norborne  ba° 
ron  de  Botetoun,  be  erected  in  marble  at  the  public  ex- 
pense, with  proper  inscriptions,  expressing  the  grateful 
sense  this  house  entertains  of  his  lordship's  prudent  and 
wise  administration,  and  their  great  solicitude  to  perpetuate, 
as  far  as  they  are  able,  the  remembrance  of  those  many 
public  and  social  virtues  which  adorned  his  illustrious  cha- 
racter. That  the  same  he  sent  for  to  Great  Britain,  under 
the  direction  of  the  honourable  William  Nelson,  Thomas 
Nelson,  and  Peyton  Randolph,  esquires,  Robert  Carter 
Nicholas,  Lewis  Burwell,  and  Dudley  Diggs,  esquires. 

Resolved,  that  the  treasurer  pay  for  the  statue  to  be 
erected  to  the  memory  of  lord  Botetourt  out  of  the  public 
money  in  the  treasury. 


VIRGINIA.  365 

of  having  religious  discipline  on  the  model  of  the 
English  church,  but  with  the  real  design  of  at- 
taining personal  aggrandizement,  and  procuring 
the  co-operation  of  church  and  state  for  the  fur- 
therance of  religious  and  political  oppression.* 
The  effects  of  this  project  had  not  escaped  the 
penetration  of  the  people,  and  it  had  been  com- 
bated  by  several  clergymenf  and  laymen  by  so- 
lid  argument  and  successful  ridicule.  It  became 
the  duty  of  the  representatives  of  the  people  to 


*  Speaking  of  Dr.  Seeker,  he  says,  «  A  prelate  of  a  life 
rigidly  virtuous,  completely  versed  in  all  the  branches  of 
ecclesiastical  learning,  but  of  a  capacity  by  no  means  ele- 
vated, and  whose  zeal  was  at  least  as  conspicuous  as  his  can- 
dour and  ju.lg  nent.  H'S  ardent  desire  to  establish  episcopa- 
cy in  America  is  well  known  ;  and  if  no  fears  and  jealousies 
had  been  entertained  that  the  new  bishops  would  have  been 
invested  With  some  sort  or  degree  of  temporal  jurisdiction, 
the  plan  would  not  have  been  opposed  by  the  Americans, 
who  declared,  that  they  objected  not  to  the  introduction  of 
bishops,  b-.it  they  were  determined  not  to  admit  of  lord  hi- 
*hofist  Bi -hops  on  the  primitive  model,  unconnected  with 
the  state,  have-  been  since  the  revolution  introduced  into  the 
different  provinces,  even  of  New  England  itself,  without  ex- 
citing the  slightest  alarm  or  apprehension.  In  the  charac- 
ter of  Seeker,  though  in  many  respects  excellent,  we  may 
look  in  vain  f  >r  the  benignity,  the  liberality,  the  generous 
and  enlarged  views  of  his  predecessor,  archbishop  Herring." 

Belsham. 

t  Resolved,  nemine  contradicente,  That  the  thanks  of  this 
house  be  given  to  the  rev.  Mr.  Henley,  the  rev.  Mr.  Gwat- 
kia,  the  rev.  Mr.  Hewitt,  and  the  rev.  Mr.  Bland,  for  the 
wise  and  well  timed  opposition  they  have  made  to  the  per- 
nicious project  of  a  few  mistaken  clergymen,  for  intro- 
ducing an  American  bishop;  a  measure  by  which  much 
disturb  ince,  great  anxiety  and  apprehension  would  certainly 
take  place  among  his  majesty's  faithful  American  subjects; 
an  1  that  Mr.  Richard  Henry  Leeajid  Mr.  Bland  do  acquaint 
them  therewith. 


366  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     speak  their  opinion  of  a  measure  so  fraught  with 
.  jv  •    :    michiffand  extravagance;  and  in  doing  this  they 
*  did  not  forget  the  exertions  of  those  enlightened 
ministers,  who  had  protested  against  it.* 


*  The  Protest  against  the  firoceecRnsfS  of  the  convention  hold- 
en  at  \\~iLliamand,  Mxry  C3ll?get  on  the  4>'h  day  of  June,  1771. 

Whereas  the  following  resolution  was  agreed  to 'by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  clergy  assembled  at  the  said  convention,  «  That 
a  committee  be  appointed  to  draw  up  an  address  to  the  king 
f)r  an  American  episcopate,  and  the  committee  shall  apply 
for  the  hands  of  the  majority  of  the  clergy  of  this  colony,  in 
which,  if  they  succeed,  the  bishop  of  London  is  to  be  humbly 
addressed  for  his  concurrence,  and  requested  to  present  their 
addrosb  to  his  majesty,  but  without  a  concurrence  of  a  ma>- 
joriiy  of  the  clergy  the  address  not  to  be  transmitted  ;  and 
that  t'le  reverend  Messrs. Camm*  Wylie,  Sky ring  and  Fon- 
taine, or  any  three  of  them,  are  appointed  d  com  nittee  to 
prepare  the  said  addresses." 

We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  and  who  did 
vote  against  the  said  resolution,  do  publicity  declare  our 
dissent,  and  protest  against  it. 

First,  Because  as  the  number  of  the  clergy  in  this  colony 
is  at  least  a  hundred,  we  cannot  conceive  that  twelve  cler- 
gymen are  a  sufficient  representation  of  so  large  a  body. 

Secondly,  Because  the  said  resolution  contradicts  a  for- 
mer  resolution  of  the  said  convention,  which  puts  a  nega- 
tive upo.i  the  question,  «  Whether  the  king  should  be  ad- 
dressed upon  an  American  episcopate  ?"  an:l  that  an  assem- 
bly met  up  3n  so  important  an  occasion,  should  rescind  are- 
solution  agreed  to  an  1  entered  down  but  a  few  minutes  be- 
fore, is,  in  our  apprehension,  contrary  to  all  order  and  de- 
corum. 

Thirdly,  Because  the  expression,  an  American  efiiscoftate, 
includes  a  jurisdiction  over  the  other  colonies,  and  the  cler- 
gy of  Virginia  cannot  with  any  propriety  petition  for  a 
measure  which,  for  aught  that  appears  to  the  contrary,  will 
materially  nff-ct  the  natural  rights  and  fundamental  laws  of 
the  said  colonies,  without  their  consent  and  approbation. 

Fourthly,  Because  the  establishment  of  an  American 
episcopate,  at  this  time,  would  tend  greatly  to  weaken  the 
connexion  between  the  mother  country  and  her  colonies  ;  to 
continue  their  present  unhappy  disputes,  to  infuse  jealousies 


VIRGINIA.  367 

A  CONSIDERABLE  sum*  was  voted  for  the  re-     CHAP. 
Ijef  of  great  numbers   of  people  at  Richmond 


and  fears  into  the  minds  of  Protestant  dissenters,  and  to 
give  ill  disposed  persons  occasion  to  raise  such  disturbances 
as  may  endanger  the  very  existence  of  the  British  empire  in 
America. 

Fifthly,  Because  we  cannot  help  considering  it  as  ex- 
tremely indecent  for  the  clergy  to  make  such  an  application 
without  the  concurrence  of  the  president,  council  and  repre- 
sentatives of  this  province ;  an  usurpation  directly  repug- 
nant to  the  rights  of  mankind. 

Sixthly,  Because  the  bishops  of  London  have  always  hi- 
therto exercised  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  over  this  colony; 
and  we  are  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  mild,  just,  and  equi- 
table government  of  our  excellent  diocesan,  the  present  lord 
bishop  of  London,  and  do  think  a  petition  to  the  crown  to 
strip  his  lordship  of  any  part  of  his  jurisdiction  but  an  ill 
return  for  his  past  labours,  and  contrary  to  our  oath  of  ca- 
nonical obedience.  We  do  farther  conceive,  us  it  had  been 
unanimously  determined  by  this  very  convention,  that  his 
lordship  should  be  addressed  for  his  opinion  relative  to  this 
meaMire,  the  clergy  ought  to  have  wailed  for  his  lordship's 
paternal  advice  before  they  proceeded  any  farther  in  an  affair 
of  such  vast  importance. 

Seventhly,  Because  we  have  particular  objections  to  that 
part  of  the  resolution  by  which  the  committee  are  directed 
to  afifily,  as  it  is  termed,  for  the  hands  of  the  majority  of  the 
clergy  in  this  colony  ;  a  method  of  proceeding,  in  our  opi- 
nion, contrary  to  the  universal  practice  of  the  Christian 
church,  it  having  been  customary  for  the  clergy  to  sign  acts 
of  an  ecclesiastical  nature  in  public  convention,  whereas 
the  manner  of  procuring  their  concurrence  now  proposed 
is  unworthy  the  decorum  and  dignity  by  which  so  venerable 
a  body  ought  ever  to  be  guided. 

SAMUEL  HENLEY,  professor  of  moral  philosophy 

in  William  and  Mary  college. 

TiiOMAS  GYVATKIN,  professor  of  mathematicks, 
and  natural  philosophy,  in  Wm.and  Mary  college. 

We  hear  that  there  is  another  protest,  signed  by  the  rev. 
Richard  Hewitt,  rector  of  Hungai's  parish,  in  Nor  hamp- 
ton,  and  the  rev.  Willia  n  Bland,  rtcior  of  James  Ciiy  pa- 
rish, in  James  City  county. 

*  30,000/. 


368   . 


HISTORY  OF 


Lord  Dun- 
more. 


and  elsewhere,  whose  tobacco  had  been  damaged 
in  the  public  ware  houses,  by  an  inundation 
caused  by  the  overflowing  of  James  river. 

LORD  DUN  MO  RE  was  removed  from  the  ejo- 
vernment  of  New  York  to  that  of  Virginia. 
From  his  conduct  subsequent  to  this  appoint- 
ment, it  would  seem  that  this  removal  was  not 
entirely  agreeable  to  him,  Instead  of  hastening 
to  his  new  government,  which  longed  to  behold 
a  man  of  whom  fame  had  spoken  in  flattering 
terms,  he  lingered  for  several  months  amidst  the 
pleasures  and  amusements  of  that  gay  and 
wealthy  city,  and  prepared  the  minds  of  the  Vir- 
ginians for  that  jealousy  and  dislike,  which  after- 
wards were  changed  into  the  extremest  disgust 
and  abhorrence. 

HE  arrived  in  1772,  having  previously  sent  on 
his  lady  and  family  under  the  care  of  his  private  se- 
cretary, captain  Foy.  Foy  had  distinguished  him- 
self at  the  battle  of  Minden,  and  was  one  of  the 
three -captains,  whom  prince  Ferdinand  had  prais- 
ed for  their  gallantry  on  that  day.  In  the  present 
agitation  of  the  public  mind,  when  incidents 
otherwise  trifling  and  apparently  uninteresting, 
would  become  from  their  connection  with  govern- 
ment important,  it  was  regarded  as  matter  of 
speculation,  that  an  officer  of  reputation,  bhould 
abandon  his  government  of  New  Hampshire,  to 
which  he  had  been  appointed,  for  the  obscuie  si- 
tuation of  clerk  in  Virginia  ;  and  there  were  not 
wanting  many,  who  asserted,  that  the  military  ta- 
lents of  Foy  were  to  be  employed  in  carrying  in- 
to effect  those  measures  of  coercion  devised  by 
the  British  parliament.  Other  circumstances 
served  tD  strengthen  those  suspicions.  To  ren- 
der the  situation  of  Foy  more  comfortable,  new 


VIRGINIA: 


fees*  were  created,  unknown  to  the  constitution 
of  the  colony,  and  a  salary  of  5001.  per  annum 
created  without  the  cognizance  of  the  assembly, 
and  directly  contrary  to  established  laws  and 
usages.  The  opinions  of  the  favourite  too,  on 
the  subject  of  colonial  claims,  were  highly  offen- 
sive ;  opinions  which,  notwithstanding  his  sup- 
posed station  of  private  adviser  to  his  lordship, 
and  the  obvious  impolicy  of  the  procedure,  he 
used  no  pains  to  conceal. 

SUCH  was  the  situation  of  affairs  when  the  ga- 
vernor  thought  proper  to  summon  an  assembly. 
The  first  proceedings  of  this  body,  after  the 
customary  formalities,  evince  their  determined 
dislike  and  opposition.  An  attack  was  made  on 
the  governor,  in  the  person  of  his  secretary,  and 
a  list  of  the  fees  created  for  the  benefit  of  clerks, 
demanded  in  words  strong  and  explicit.  In  can- 
vassing  these  measures,  little  ceremony  was  used; 
the  conduct  of  the  governor  was  pronounced  il- 
legal, and  a  committee  was  immediately  appoint- 
ed to  lay  before  him  the  sense  of  the  house, 


»  List  of  fees. 

For  county  lieutenannt's  commission, 
Colonels,        - 
Lieutenant  colonels, 
Majors,  •        • 

Sheriffs,     -         -         -         - 
Principal  inspectors, 
Assistant  inspectors, 
Coroners,         • 
Mediterranean  pass, 
Quarter  masters,          -        - 
Presentation  to  a  parish, 
Escheat  master,         - 
Commissary  of  stores, 
2Y 


L.    s.    d. 
200 
1     6 


1  6 

1  « 

5  0 

15  0 

10  O 

10  0 

15  0 

00  0 

10  0 

1  6 

1  6 


•A 


370  STORY 

which  on  this  occasion  was  almost  unanimous^ 
The  governor's  answer  was  mild  and  conciliate- 
ne  fecs  complained  of,  he  understood  to 
have  been  established  by  his  predecessors,  and 
ought,  he  said,  to  be  ascribed  to  his  short  resi- 
dence in  the  country,  which  had  not  yet  enabled 
him  to  acquire  that  knowledge  of  the  laws  and 
constitution  so  necessary  fora  just  and  able  ad- 
ministration. He  concluded  by  declaring,  that 
the  fees  should  be  withdrawn. 

BUT  the  haughty  spirit  of  Dunmore  struggled 
hard  with  his  ideas  of  policy  on  this  occasion, 
At  any  other  time  he  would  have  set  the  legisla- 
ture at  defiance,  and  taken  shelter  under  the  un- 
dt  finable  shield  of  executive  privilege  :  But  it  was 
judged  prudent  to  preserve  his  small  stock  of  po- 
pularity for  trials  of  greater  importance.  The  fees 
of  his  secretary  were  rightly  regarded  as  of  mi- 
nor concern  compared  with  the  great  question  of 
colonial  rights,  which  would  in  a  short  time  be 
conttsted. 

WON  by  this  condescension  and  seeming  mo- 
deration, the  assembly  expressed  their  gratitude 
in  the  warmest  and  most  affectionate  terms,  and 
were  prorogued  to  the  10th  of  June  following. 
This  was  certainly  an  auspicious  omen  of  future 
moderation  and  harmony ;  but  the  popular  jea- 
Icusy  was  not  to  be  lulled  by  appearances,  howe- 
ver specious,  and  the  circumstances  of  the  world 
seemed  to  justify  the  utmost  vigilance  and  cir- 
cumspection amongst  the  advocates  of  Ameri- 
can liberty. 

THE  proceedings  of  this  body  gave  Dunmore 
SL  distaste  to  assemblies,  and  they  were  accord- 
ingly prorogued  from  time  to  time,  on  the  usual 
plea  set  forth  in  the  proclamations,  that  there 
was  no  present  occasion  for  them ;  a  forgery,  how- 
ever, to  an  alarming  extent,  having  been  detected 


VIRGINIA.  371 

of  the  paper  emission  of  the  colony,  the  assem-  2HAP. 
bly  was  convened  for  the  purpose  of  devising  *v>  ., 
means  of  guarding  against  the  imposture.  The 
exertions  of  the  governor  himself  had  been 
prompt  and  decisive  ;  but  in  the  apprehension  of  9£^ 
the  supposed  offenders,  he  had  been  little  atten- 
tive to  those  salutary  bulwarks  of  private  securi- 
ty, which  form  the  essence  of  free  government. 
The  assembly  of  Virginia,  true  to  their  charac- 
ter, did  not  in  their  alarm  for  the  safety  of  tae 
treasury,  forget  those  principles  on  which  rest 
the  pillars  of  social  order,  and  in  their  reply  to 
the  governor's  communication,  they  say,  "  But 
the  proceedings  in  this  case,  my  lord,  thoagh 
rendered  necessary  by  the  peculiar  naiure  of  it, 
are  nevertheless  different  from  the  usual  mode. 
The  duty  we  owe  our  constituents,  obliges  us, 
my  lord,  to  be  as  attentive  to  the  safety  of  the 
innocent,  as  we  are  desirous  of  punishing  the 
guilty,  and  we  apprehend  that  a  doubtful  construc- 
tion, and  various  execution  of  criminal  law,  does 
greatly  endanger  the  safety  of  the  innocent:  They 
conclude  by  praying,  u  that  the  proceedings  may 
not  in  future  be  drawn  into  consequence  and  ex- 
ample." The  reply  of  the  governor  is  strongly 
marked  by  mortification  and  resentment.  "  In  ap- 
prehending," said  he,  "  and  bringing  to  justice 
the  forgers -of  your  paper  currency,  I  little 
imagined,  when  I  was  endeavouring  to  punish 
the  guilty,  that  my  conduct  could  by  any  means 
be  thought  to  endanger  the  safety  of  the  inno- 
cent." 

THE  representatives  having  attended  to  the 
purity  of  their  civil  jTroceedings,  directed  their 
scrutiny  to  the  internal  and  external  state  of 
America  at  large,  and  with  their  usual  sagacity 
and  spirit,  they  adopted  the  following  resolutionso 


375*  HISTORY  O* 

CHAP.  "  WHERE  A  s  the  minds  of  his  majesty's  faith* 
IV-  ful  subjects  in  this  colony  have  been  much  dis« 
"  turbed  by  various  rumours  and  reports  of  pro- 
ceedings, tending  to  deprive  them  of  their  an* 
cient,  legal  and  constitutional  rights  ;  and  where- 
as the  affairs  of  this  colony  are  frequently  con- 
nected with  those  of  Great  Britain,  as  well  as  of 
the  neighbouring  colonies,  which  renders  a  com- 
munication of  sentiments  necessary  :  In  order, 
therefore,  to  remove  the  uneasinesses,  and  to 
quiet  the  minds  of  the  people,  as  well  as  for  the 
other  good  purposes  above  mentioned. 

•'*  Be  it  resofoed,  That  a  standing  committee 
of  correspondence  and  inquiry  be  appointed,  to 
consist  of  eleven  persons,  to  wit,  the  honoura- 
ble Peyton  Randolph,  esquire,  Robert  Carter 
Nicholas,  Richard  Bland,  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
Benjamin  Harrison,  Edmund  Pendleton,  Patrick 
Henry,  Dudley  Digges,  Dabney  Carr,  Archi- 
bald Gary,  and  Thomas  Jefferson,  esquires,  any 
six  of  whom  to  be  a  committee,  whose  business 
it  shall  be  to  obtain  the  most  early  and  authentic 
intelligence  of  such  acts  and  resolutions  of  the 
British  parliament,  or  proceedings  of  admini- 
stration, as  may  relate  to  or  affect  the  British  co- 
lonies in  America;  and  to  keep  up  and  maintain 
a  correspondence  and  communication  with  our 
sister  colonies,  respecting  these  important  con- 
siderations, and  the  result  of  such  their  pro- 
ceedings, from  time  to  time,  to  lay  before  the 
house. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  an  instruction  to  the  said 
committee,  that  they  do,  without  delay,  inform 
themselves  particularly  of  the  principle  and  au- 
thority on  which  was  constituted  a  court  of  in^ 
<]uiry,  said  to  have  been  lately  held  in  Rhode 
Island,  with  powers  to  transport  persons  accused 


VIRGINIA.  373 

of  offences  committed  in  America,  to  places  be-     CHAP. 
yond  the  seas  to  be  tried.  *v>  . 

"  Resolved,  That  the  speaker  of  this  house 
do  transmit  to  the  speakers  of  the  different  as- 
semblies of  the  British  colonies  on  this  conti- 
nent, copies  of  the  said  resolutions,  and  desire 
that  they  will  lay  them  before  their  respective  as- 
semblies, and  request  them  to  appoint  some  per- 
son or  persons,  of  their  respective  bodies,  to 
communicate  from  time  to  time  with  the  said 
committee." 

THIS  generous  attention  of  Virginia  to  the  gene- 
ral interest  of  all  the  colonies,  so  distant  from  the 
selfish  policy  but  too  apt  to  influence  rival  states, 
produced  every  where  at  this  time  a  sentiment  of 
tender  respect  and  just  admiration,  alike  due  to 
her  conspicuous  patriotism,  and  as  being  the 
most  ancient  American  possession.  The  Mas- 
sachusetts legislature,  speaking  of  her  late  re- 
solves, dwell  on  the  wise  and  firm  conduct  of 
Virginia  "at  all  times." 

THE  assembly  of  Rhode  Island  conclude  one 
of  their  resolves  by  the  words,  "  the  glorious 
assembly  of  Virginia."  To  her  was  every  where 
allowed  the  honourable  praise  of  having  origi- 
nated every  capital  measure  since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  disputes,  and  having  supported  them 
all  with  a  constancy  and  wisdom  nowise  inferior 
to  the  ardour  with  which  they  had  been  adopted. 
Nor  was  this  done  with  any  parade  or  assump- 
tion of  superiorty. 

THE  governor,  meanwhile,  proceeded  on  a 
party  of  pleasure  to  the  back  settlements.  Attract- 
ed as  it  was  then  thought  solely  by  curiosity,  he 
remained  sometime  at  Pittsburg,  and  observed 
with  nice  attention  the  nature  of  the  country,  the 
circumstances  of  the  people,  and  the  tribes  of 


374  HISTORY  OF 

Indians  contiguous  to  the  frontiers.  Every  art  o! 
affability  and  condescension  was  played  off,  on 
this  occasion,  to  conciliate  the  inhabitants,  and 
frequent  consultations  of  a  private  nature  took 
place-  between  him  and  a  man  of  the  name  of 
Conolly,  who  about  this  time  was  made  a  ma- 
gistrate, and  invested  as  commissioner  among  the 
Indians  with  considerable  powers.  Conolly 
was  possessed  of  much  sagacity,  and  was  known 
as  the  discoverer  of  the  bones  of  the  mammoth  on 
the  Big  Bone  Lick  at  the  falls  of  the  Ohio.  Some 
taste,  an  intimate  knowledge  of  Indan  affairs,  a 
considerable  knowledge  of  the  world,  and  a  lax 
morality,  pointed  him  out  to  Dunmore  as  a  fit 
instrument  for  executing  plans  of  division  and 
blood,  which  unhappily  for  Britain  had  been  de- 
cided on  in  their  depraved  and  phrenetic  councils. 
THIS  project  was  of  no  less  extent  than  to  en- 
gage Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  in  a  civil  war 
about  their  territorial  boundary,  and  to  rouse 
once  more  to  arms  the  warlike  tribes  of  savages, 
whose  fury  had  so  often  deluged  the  western  set- 
tlements with  blood.  Those  states  obliged  to  at- 
tend to  their  immediate  safety,  would  withdraw 
their  attention  from  the  abstract  usurpations  of 
parliament,  and  the  governor  being  at  the  head 
of  the  troops  of  the  colony,  might  act  either 
with  indecision  or  vigour,  according  to  the  na- 
ture of  circumstances.  The  plan  being  at  length 
fully  decided  on,  Dunmore  retraced  his  steps  to 
Wiliiamsburg,  and  Conolly  immediately  com- 
menced his  part  against  Pennsylvania,  by  se- 
ducing several  of  its  inhabitants  from  their  allegi- 
ance, and  forming  settlements  on  parts  of  its  ter- 
ritory under  patents  from  the  governor  of  Virgi- 
nia. As  part  of  this  drama,  an  address  from 
several  hundred  persons  inhabiting  the  lands  tc 


VIRGINIA.  375 

the  westward  of  the  Lawrel  Hills  was  presented  CHAP. 
to  the  governor  on  the  road,  disclaiming  all  alle- 
giance  to  Pennsylvania,  and  praying  that  they 
might  be  admitted  as  members  of  the  colony. 
These  measures  were  calculated  to  excite  the  re- 
sentment of  Pennsylvania ;  Con  oily  was  taken 
and  held  in  confinement,  and  the  settlers  were 
secured  and  punished  as  vagrants  and  outlaws. 

A  FULL  representation  of  these  several  cir- 
cumstances, was  made  by  the  governor  to  the 
council  on  his  arrival,  and  he  laboured  hard  by 
alarming  their  pride  as  Virginians,  and  by  in- 
flaming their  resentment  by  an  exaggerated  state- 
ment of  Pennsylvanian  violence,*  to  procure  a 
levy  of  troops  for  enforcing  the  rights  of  Virgi- 
nia. But  Dunmore  was  completely  ignorant  of 
the  grounds  and  merits  of  the  dispute  respecting 
boundaries  between  the  two  colonies,  whilst  the 
council  on  the  other  hand  were  absolute  masters 
of  the  question,  and  by  .their  advice,  but  much 
to  his  dissatisfaction,  a  moderate  but  firm  re- 
monstrance was  forwarded  to  Pennsylvania,  de- 
manding the  release  of  her  citizens,  and  submit- 
ting their  disputes  to  his  majesty.  Dunmore 
had  previously  issued  a  proclamation,  dictated  in 
l.mguage  of  haughtiness  and  incivility  which  was 
repelled  with  decent  but  decided  firmness. 

THE  arrival  of  lady  Dunmore,  with  a  nume- 
rous family  of  sons  and  daughters,  from  New 
York,  afforded  Virginia  an  occasion  of  manifest- 
ing that  true  politeness  and  decent  respect  for 
female  worth  which  are  inseparably  connected 
with  bravery  and  intelligence.  Several  respect- 
ful addresses  were  presented  to  his  lady,  congra- 
tulatory of  her  arrival,  and  replete  with  favour- 
able wishes  for  her  happiness  and  health.  The 
assembly,  which  soon  after  convened,  united  in 


HISTORY  OF      jl 

these  wishes,  and  the  governor  himself  was  con- 
gratulau  d  by  the  council  and  house  ol  burgesses 
on  an  t\trit  so  well  calculated  to  augment  his  do- 
mestic happiness. 

AGRFEABLY  to  the  plan  which  had  been  for 
1774.  some  rime  adopted ,  of  enfeebling  the  energy  of 
the  colonies,  by  the  introduction  of  aristocratic 
titles  aid  distinctions,  rules  of  precedency  were 
drawn  up  urdtr  the  special  direction  of  the  he- 
raid,  determining  the  rank  of  the  civil  and  mili- 
tary officers  and  their  ladies,  and  were  officially 
published  a  short  time  previous  to  the  meeting 
of  the  assembly. 

BUT  in  the  present  grand  agitation  of  public 
sentiment,  these  impertinencies  were  held  as  ut- 
terly beneath  public  notice  ;  for  the  Boston  port 
bill  and  other  severe  disabilities,  to  which  the 
virtuous  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts  were  sub- 
jected by  acts  of  the  British  parliament,  had  ta- 
ken entire  possession  of  every  heart,  and  exclud- 
ed every  feeling  beside  sympathy  for  their  suffer- 
ings and  resentment  of  their  wrongs. 

LORD  NORTH,  in  his  insidious  project,  falsely 
termed  conciliatory,  had  taken  off  the  obnoxious 
duties,  with  the  exception  of  three  pence  per 
pound  on  tea,  which  was  reserved  for  the  avow- 
ed object  of  legalizing  and  drawing  into  a  prece- 
dent the  pretensions  of  parliament.  As  an  in- 
ducement to  the  East  India  Company,  who  had 
ten  millions  of  pounds  of  this  commodity  lying 
in  their  stores,  to  embark  in  this  trade  directly 
in  the  teeth  of  the  American  association,  a  draw- 
back was  allowed  equarl  to  the  amount  of  the  du- 
ties at  the  custom  house,  and  the  crisis  at  length 
approached  when  America  must  either  submit  to 
the  unjust  claims  of  her  enemies,  or  by  some 
bqld  and  daring  action  intimidate  or  conquer  their 


VIRGINIA.  371 

oppressors.  She  did  not  for  a  moment  hesitate  CHAP, 
which  alternative  to  adopt,  and  a  resolution  was 
every  where  formtd  of  sending  back  or  destroy- 
ing the  tea  at  the  hazard  of  every  consequence. 
In  Pennsylvania  and  South  Carolina,  the  con- 
signees were  compelled  to  store  the  tea  on  the 
express  condition  that  it  should  not  be  sold,  and 
that  it  should  be  re- shipped  the  first  opportunity. 
In  most  cases,  the  vessels  containing  the  obnoxi- 
ous article  were  not  permitted  to  unload.  In 
Boston,  where  every  measure  of  coercion  appear- 
ed to  be  carried  to  an  extremity  by  parliament, 
the  conduct  cf  the  people  was  still  more  deci- 
ded. The  governor  having  refused  to  give  a 
clearance  at  the  custom  house,  although  solicited 
by  the  consignees,  to  the  ship  conveying  this 
commodity,  a  number  of  citizens,  habited  as 
Mohawk  Indians,  repaired  on  board  and  dis- 
charged 240  chests  of  this  abhorred  and  parlia- 
mentary poison  into  the  sea. 

THIS  bold  measure  drew  down  upon  the  town 
of  Boston  the  whole  weight  of  ministerial  ven- 
geance. Deprived  of  her  commerce,  beset  with 
military  violence,  her  citizens  subjected  to  trans- 
portation to  England  or  elsewhere  for  trial,  she 
was  at  this  moment  threatened  with  famine,  and 
suffering  all  those  extremities  resulting  from 
martial  law  and  lawless  usurpation. 

IT  was  hoped  by  these  proceedings  to  break 
the  spirit  of  that  province,  and  terrify  the  other 
colonies  by  her  example.  L.une  and  infatuated 
politicians,  they  were  not  acquainted  with  the 
American  character. 

THE    first   intelligence  of  these   flagrant  op- 
pressions   produced  throughout   the    American 
colonies  one  unanimous  determination  to  make 
a    common    cause    with    their    suffering    sis- 
2Z 


-378 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
IV. 


dissolved. 

1774 
May  27. 


ter.  The  assembly  of  Virginia  was  in  session 
when  the  rough  draughts  oi  the  obnoxious  bill 
were  crn;ir;unicattd  in  a  letter  from  Massachu- 
setts, ard  as  ii  ever}  other  subject  had  been  ut- 
terly in. worthy  their  consideration  at  this  crisis, 
they  pitLteced  w  i  h  one  consent  to  an  inquiry  into 
this  intcietih  £  t.-ul  ject.  An  animated  protest 
was  immediate  ly  t  ntereel  on  their  journals  against 
the  latt  acts,  width  resulted,  the)  affirmed,  from 
a  determined  system  to  reduce  the  inhabitants  of 
British  America  to  slavery.  Whilst  engaged  in 
these  animate- d  proceedings:,  they  weie  suddenly 
summoned  by  the  governor  to  the  council  cham- 
ber, who  hastily  addressed  them  in  the  following 
words : 

Mr*  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Bur- 
gpsse?, 

"  I  have  in  my  hand  a  paper  published  by  order 
of  }our  house,  conceived  in  such  terms  as  re- 
flect highly  upon  his  majesty  and  the  parliament 
of  Great  Britain,  which  makes  it  necessary  for 
n.e  to  dissolve  you,  and  you  are  dissolved  ac- 
cordingly." 

On  the  follow  ing  day  the  members  met  by  agree- 
rrent,  at  the  long  room  in  the  Hakigh  tavern, 
when  the  following  agreement  was  unanimously 
enten  d  into. 

44  WE,  his  majest)  's  most  dutiful  and  loyal  sub- 
jects, the  late  lepiestntatives  of  the  got  d  people 
of  this  country,  having  been  deprived,  by  the 
si'f'den  interposition  d  the  executive  part  of  this 
g'  ve-rr.ire  nt.  ii  om  gSvirg-  cur  countrymen  the  ad- 
v  ee-  \  c  w-iihed  to  convt)  to  them  in  a  legislative 
ci  ]'-i-(  i:y,  iii.d  (.nrselvts.  under  the  hard  necessity 
cf  i-d(;|sir,^  i  his,  ll:c  cnly  method  we  have  left, 
of  oiiAlnf  out  lo  cur  countrymen  such  mea- 


VIRGINIA,  37 

sure*  as,  in  our  opinion,  are  best  fitted  to  se-  CHAP. 
cure  our  dearest  lights  and  liberty  from  de- 
struction, by  the  heavy  hand  of  power  now  lifted 
against  North  America.  Witii  much  grief  we 
fiiid  that  our  dutiful  applications  to  Grtat  Bri- 
tain for  security  of  our  just,  arcient,  and  con- 
stitutional rights,  have  been  not  only  disregarded, 
but  that  a  determined  sjstem  is  formed  and  pres- 
sed tor  reducing  the  inhabitants  of  British  Ame- 
rica to  slavery,  by  subjecting  them  to  the  pay- 
ment of  taxes,  imposed  without  the  consent  of 
the  people  or  their  representatives  ;  and  that  in 
pursuit  of  this  system  we  find  the  act  of  the  Bri- 
tish parliament  lately  passed,  for  stopping  the 
harbour  and  commerce  of  Boston,  in  our  sister 
colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  until  the  people 
there  submit  to  such  unconstitutional  taxes,  and 
which  act  most  violently  and  arbitrarily  deprives 
them  of  their  property,  in  wharves  erected  by 
private  persons,  at  their  own  great  and  proper  ex- 
pense ;  which  act  is,  in  our  opinion,  a  most  dan- 
gerous attempt  to  destroy  the  constitutional  li- 
berty and  rights  of  all  North  America.  It  is 
•farther  our  opinion,  that  as  tea,  on  its  importa- 
tion to  America,  is  charged  with  a  duty,  i in- 
posed  by  parliament  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a 
revenue,  without  the  "consent  ci  the  people,  it 
ought  not  to  be  used  by  any  person  who  wishes 
well  to  the  constitutional  rights  and  liberty  of  Bri- 
tish America.  And  whereas  the  India  Company 
have  ungenerously  attempted  the  ruin  of  Ame- 
rica, by  sending  manv  ii.ir/j  loaded  wit.ii. tea  into 
the  colonies,  thereby  intending  to  fix  a  prece- 
dent in  favour  of  arbitrary  taxation,  we  dee  in  it 
highly  proper,  and  do  accordingly  recommend  it 
strongly  to  our  countrymen,  nor  to  purchase  or 
use  any  kind  of  East  India  commodity  whatso- 
ever, except  salt-petre  and  spices,  until  the  griev- 


380  HISTORY  OF 

ances  of  America  are  redressed.  We  are  farther 
clearly  of  opinion,  that  an  attack  made  on  one  of 
our  sister  colonies,  to  compel  submission  to  ar- 
bitrary taxes,  is  an  attack  made  on  all  British 
America,  and  threatens  ruin  to  the  rights  of  al!5 
unless  the  united  wisdom  of  the  whole  be  ap- 
plied. And  for  this  purpose  it  is  recommended 
to  the  committee  of  correspondence,  that  they 
communicate  with  their  several  corresponding 
committees  on  the  expediency  of  appointing  de- 
puties from  the  several  colonies  of  British  Ame- 
rica, to  meet  in  general  congress,  at  such  place 
annually  as  shall  be  thought  most  convenient ; 
there  to  deliberate  on  those  general  measures 
which  the  united  interests  of  America  may  from 
time  to  time  require. 

u  A  tender  regard  for  the  interests  of  our  fel- 
low subjects,  the  merchants  and  manufacturers 
of  Great  Britain,  prevents  us  from  going  farther 
at  this  time  ;  most  earnestly  hoping  that  the  un- 
constitutional principle  of  taxing  the  colonies 
without  their  consent,  will  not  be  persisted  in, 
thereby  to  compel  us,  against  our  will,  to  avoid 
all  commercial  intercourse  with  Britain.  Wish- 
ing them  and  our  people  free  and  happy,  we  are 
their  affectionate  friends^  the  late  representa- 
tives of  Virginia." 

"  THE  above  was  immediately  signed  by  the 
honourable  the  speaker  and  all  the  members  of 
the  late  house  of  burgesses,  as  well  as  by  a  num- 
ber of  clergymen  and  other  inhabitants  of  the 
colony,  who,  after  having  maturely  considered 
the  contents  of  the  association,  did  most  cordi- 
ally approve  and  accede  thereto." 

MEANWHILE  the  plan  of  Dunmore  began  ra- 
pidly to  unfold  itself.  Emboldened  by  the  ter- 
ritorial disputes  between  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 


VIRGINIA, 

ginia,  and  those  c.-iitrovemes  of  a  still  higher     CHAP. 
nature  p  the  mother  country  and     m  *    • 

th-  :  too  for   their  own  safety 

thrir  remaining  possessions 

by  the  mysterious  hi  I  artful  discourses  of 

C .) it  *  i habited  the  vast  cc 

f  the  B'  T  -h-  ments,  commer 

ii  s  i  f  i  series  of  shock  ing  enorm  ities,  the 

b  ir:  Hdian  warfare.  Parties  of 

•.ttilitix  i-i  vain  assembled  to  repel  and 
i  we  th^be  incursions;   tii  ^-pt  away, 

whiUt  the  defenceless  inhabitants,  consisting  of 
the  aged,    the    women,  and    the   children,  who 
were  not  abie  to  retire  wkh  sufficient  celerii 
fore  the  inundation,  were   inhumanly  butchered, 
or  hurried  away  into  a  c  worse  thane 

BUT  t  »ie  great  mnss  of  the  peopl  r>t  as 

formerly  benumbed  and  palsied   by  the  sound  of 
I:  dmn  war.     The  agitation  universally  ex 
by  the  alarming  pretensions  of  the  British  parlia- 
ment, had  communicated   an  energy  and 
lan,.e,  a  resolution  and  concert  amongst  them  be- 
come  necessary   for  the  arduous  duties  w 
they  wer^  every  dav  liable  to  be  called  on  to  dis- 
charge ;  arid  on  the  first  rumours  they  discover. 
ed  tne   higheht  ardour   and  impatience  to  march 
out  against  the  perpetrators   of  these  shocking- 
arid  bvutual  enormi 

KOJSED  iy  the    military  ardour  and  indifr 
tion  which  spread  like  a  blaze  through  the  colo- 
ny, the  governor  at  length  aficcted  to  catch  the 
throb  of  military  ar  :  i  the  glow  of 

a   virtuous  resentment  and  indignation.      The 
counties  most  c^  ;  nemy  were  sum- 

mo'.  ion  to  furnish  their  quo' 

of  three  thousand  men 
formed  wilh  a  celerity  proportion-id  to  the  u 


382  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.     Cy  of  the  crisis,  and  honourable  to  the  judgment 
IVt        and  activity  of  the  government. 

BUT  another  object  of  even  superior  magni- 
tude now  eng iged  the  attention  of  the  people. 
Their  late  deputies,  on  th-rir  dissolution,  recom- 
mended a  convi-nd'jn  to  meet  at  Williamsburg 
on  the  first  day  of  An  *u>t  and  town  and  coun- 
try meetings  every  \viure  took  place  for  the  pur- 
pose of  iioiniiiiti.rr  d;p  uies  to  this  body.  No- 
thing could  exceed  tue  public  unanimity  on 
this  O3casioii,  nor  ths  vn  i-^ulhie  expression  of 
their  eloquence;*  and  tht;  deputies  agreeably  to 
appointment*  convened. 

THE  proceedings}-  of  this  bo  ly  were  few,  but 
in  the  highest  degree  nervous  and  impressive, 


*  Life  and  Liberty  never  shall  bejiartcd. 

This  is  the  motto  of  the  country,  and  we  are  unalterably 
determined  never  to  part  with  our  liberties,  let  the  ex- 
pense ot  defending  them  be  what  it  may.  We  are  told 
that  the  ministry  of  Britain  talk  of  taking  av/ay  our  Char. 
ter.1  Enemies  to  Gvl  and  man  !  do  they  they  think  that  we 
••vill  su'jinit  to  tyranny  in  our  land  ?  The  country  which  our 
utiiers  purchased  with  their  blood,  we  will  defend  with  our 
blood.  A  COUNTRYMAN. 

t  A:  a  very  full  meeting  of  delegates  from  the  different  coun- 
ties in  ttc  C'jhny  u:i''i  dimiwbn  uf  Virginia)  begun  in  Wii- 
liamsburg  the  first  day  of  Auguy!)  iu  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1774,  a.T/  continued  b:j  several  adjournments  to  Saturday 
the  sixth  rf  the  same  month,  the  folhwing  Association  ivao 
unanimously  resolved ufion  and  agreed  t?. 

We,  l:is    majesty's  duliful  and  loyal  subjects,  the  dele- 

tctites  of  the  freeholders  of  Virginia,  deputed   to   represent 

^t  a  g^nt-ral  meeiing  in   the  city    of  Williamsburg1, 

-.v  j..vinj.j  our  inviolable  a>ul  unshaken  fidelity  and  attachment 

f)  our  nv)3t  gracious  sovereign,  our  regard  and  afllctioh  for 

s  :-j  r.id  fwllow  subjscts  in  Great  Britain  and  else- 


VIRGINIA.  383 

They  entered  into  a  detailed  view  of  their  rights     CHAP, 
and  grievances.    Different  modes  of  redress  were  * 

suggested  and  adopted,  and  a  determined  reso- 
lution was  announced,  at  all  hazards  nrver  to 
abandon  the  sacred  cause  in  which  they  had  en- 
gaged. 


where*  protesting  against  every  act  or  thing  which  may 
have  the  most  distant  tendency  to  interrupt,  or  in  anywise 
disturb,  his  majesty's  peace,  end  the  good  order  of  govern- 
ment within  this  his  uncicrt  cr  lor  y,  which  we  are  resolved  to 
maintain  and  defend  at  the  risk  of  pur  lives  and  fortunes  ; 
but,  at  the  same  time,  affected  with  the  deepest  anxiety, 
and  most  alarming  apprehension*,  of  those  grievances  and 
distresses  by  which  his  majesty's  American  subjects  are 
oppressed ;  and  having  taken  under  our  most  serious  deli- 
beration the  state  of  the  whole  continent,  find  that  the  pre- 
sent unhappy  situation  of  our  affairs  is  chiefly  occasioned  by 
certain  i!l  advised  regulations,  as  well  of  our  trade  as  inter- 
nal polity,  introduced  by  several  urconslitu'ional  acts  of  the 
British  parliament,  and  st  leng'.h  attempted  to  be  enforced 
by  the  hand  r=f  p^ver.  Sdely  influenced  by  these  import- 
ant considerations,  wethirk  it  an  indispensable  duly  which 
we  owe  to  our  country,  ourselves,  and  latest  posterity,  to 
guard  aga  nst  such  dangerous  i.i\ti  extensive  mischiefs  by 
every  jus:  an«l  proper  means. 

I*',  by  '.he  measures  adopted,  some  unhappy  consequences 
and  inconveniences  should  be  derived  to  our  feilow  sub- 
jects, whom  we  wish  not  to  injure  in  the  smallest  degree, 
we  hope  and  flatter.'  ursHves  that  they  nil]  impu'e  them  to 
their  reai  cau<-e,  the  haul  necessity  to  which  they  are  driven. 

T  -it  thr  i'-ood  people-  of  this  colony  may,  on  so  trying 
an  occasion, continue  stedfostly  diiectedto  their  most  essen- 
tial interests,  in  hopes  thai  they  will  be  influenced  and  sti- 
mulated bv  our  example  to  the  greaest  industry,  the  strict- 
est economy  and  fi  ugality,  and  the  exercise  of  every  pub- 
lic virtue;  persuaded  that  the  merchants,  manufacturers, 
and  other  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain,  and  above  all,  that 
the  British  parliament  wii>  be  convinced  how  much  the  true 
interest  of  that  kingdom  must  depend  on  the  restoration  ar-d 
contiunance  of  that  mu  u<il  friendship  and  cordiality  which 
so  happily  subsisted  between  us;  we  have  unanimous  y  and 
with  one  voice,  entered  into  the  following  resolutions  and 


384  HISTORY  OF 


DEPUTIES  were  appointed  to  the  general  con- 
gress appointed  to  meet  at  Philadelphia,  and  the 
people  encouraged  to  pay  particular  attention  to 
the  breed  of  sheep  and  to  domestic  manufac- 


association,  which  we  do  oblige  ourselves  by  those  sacred 
ties  of  honour  and  love  to  our  country,  strictly  to  observe  c 
And  farther  declare,  before  God  and  the  world,  that  we  will 
religiously  adhere  to  and  to  keep  the  same  inviolate  in  eve- 
ry particular,  until  redress  of  all  such  American  grievances 
as  may  be  defined  and  settled  at  the  general  congress  of  de- 
legates from  the  different  colonies  shall  be  fully  obtained* 
or  until  this  association  shall  be  abrogated  or  altered  by  a 
general  meeting  of  the  deputies  of  this  colony,  to  be  con- 
vened as  is  herein  after  directed.  And  we  do,  with  the 
greatest  earnestness,  recommend  this  our  association  to  all 
gentlemen,  merchants,  traders,  and  other  inhabitants  of 
this  colony,  hoping  that  they  will  cheerfully  and  cordially 
accede  thereto. 

1st.  We  do  hereby  resolve  and  declare,  that  we  will  not 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  after  the  first  day  of  Novem- 
ber next,  import  from  Great  Britain  any  goods,  wares,  or 
merchandise  whatever,  medicines  excepted  ;  nor  will  we, 
after  that  day,  import  any  liriiish  manufactures, either  from 
the  West  Indies  or  any  other  place,  ncr  any  article  whate- 
ver which  we  shall  know,  or  have  reason  to  bt;lit  ve,  war, 
brought  into  such  countries  from  Great  Britain  ;  nor  will 
we  purchase  any  such  articles  so  imported  of  any  person  or 
persons  whatsoever,  except  such  as  are  now  in  the  coun- 
try, or  such  as  may  arrive  on  or  before  the  said  Ut  day  of 
November,  in  consequence  of  orders  already  given,  and 
which  cannot  now  be  countermanded  in  time. 

2dly.  We   will  neither  oun-elvx-s  import,  nor  purchases 
any  slave  or  slaves,  imported  by  any  person  after  ti  -. 
day  of  November  next,  either  from   Africa,  the  West  In- 
dies, or  any  other  place. 

3d!y.  Considering  the  article  of  tea  as   the  detestable  in- 
strument which  laid  the  foundation  of  the  present  sufifenngs 
of  our  distressed  friends  in  the   lawn  ol  Boston,  we  view  it 
with  horror;  and  therefore  resolve,  thai  we  will  not  irorn  this 
day,  either   import  tea  of  any  kind  whatever,  nor   will  we 
or  suffer  even  such  of  it  as  :s  now  oa  hand  to  bu  us<.jd, 
.  in  any  of  our  families. 


VIRGINIA.  385 

tures.    Instructions  were  at  the  same  time  drawn  CHAP. 

up  for  rf- ululating  the  conduct  of  their  members  IV~    . 

of  congress,  in  all  of  which  they  exhibit  a  com-  1774. 
bjnation   of  zeal,  sagacity  and  decision  which 
have  seldom  been  equalled. 


4thly.  If  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Boston,  or  any 
other  colony,  should  by  violence  or  dire  necessity  be  com- 
pelled to  pay  the  East  India  Company  for  destroying  any 
tea,  which  they  have  lately  by  their  agents  unjustly  at- 
tempted to  force  into  the  colonies,  we  will  not  directly  or 
indirectly  import  or  purchase  any  British  India  com- 
modity whatever,  till  the  companyj  or  some  o'her  person 
on  their  behalf,  shall  refund  and  fully  restore  to  the  owners 
all  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  may  be  so  extorted. 

Sthly.  We  do  resolve,  that  unless  American  grievances 
are  redressed  before  the  10th  day  of  August,  1775,  we  will 
not,  after  that  day,  directly  or  indirectly,  export  tobacco,  or 
any  other  article  whatever,  to  Great  Britain ;  nor  will  we 
sell  any  such  articles  as  we  think  can  be  exported, to  Great 
Britain  with  a  prospect  of  gain  to  any  person  or  persons 
whatever,  with  a  design  of  putting  it  into  his  or  their  power 
to  export  the  same  to  Great  Britain,  either  on  our  own,  his, 
or  their  account.  And  that  this  resolution  may  be  the  more 
effectually  carried  into  execution,  we  do  hereby  recommend 
it  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony  to  refrain  from  the  cul- 
tivation of  tobacco,  as  much  as  conveniently  may  be  ;  and 
in  lieu  thereof  that  they  will,  as  we  resolve  to  do,  apply  their 
attention  and  industry  to  the  cultivation  of  all  such  articles 
as  may  form  a  proper  basis  for  manufactures  of  all  sorts, 
which  we  will  endeavour  to  encourage  throughout  this  co- 
lony to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities. 

6thly.  We  will  endeavour  to  improve  our  breed  of 
sheep,  and  increase  their  number  to  the  utmost  extent,  and 
to  this  end  we  will  be  as  sparing  as  we  conveniently  can  in 
killing  of  sheep,  especially  those  of  the  most  profitable 
kind;  and  if  we  should  at  any  time  be  overstocked,  or  can 
conveniently  spare  any,  we  will  dispose  of  them  to  our 
neigbours,  especially  the  poorer  sort  of  people,  upon  mode- 
rate terms. 

Tthly.  Restlved,  that  the  merchants,  and  other  venders  of 
goods  and  merchandises  within  this  colony,  ought  not  to 
3  A  ' 


HISTORY  OF 

EVERT  movement  announced  the  approach  of 
a  grand  and  eventful  crisis.  Throughout  America 
resolutions  were  entered  into  by  town  and  county 
meetings,  expressing  the  national  sympathy  for 
the  sufferings  of  Boston,  and  a  solemn  cletermi- 

^ : . F 

take   advantage  of  the  scarcity  of  goods  that  may  be  occa« 
sio  led  by  this  association1,  but   that  they  ought  to  sell  the 
same  at  the  rates  they  have  been  accustomed  to  for  twelve 
months  last  pist ;  and  if  they  shill   sell  any  such  goods  on 
higher  terms,  or  shall  in  any  manner,  or  by  ar»y  device  what- 
ever, violate  or  depart  from  this  resolution,  we  will  not,  and 
are  of  opinion  that  no  inhabitant   of  this   colony  ought,  at 
any  time  thereafter  to  deal  with    any   such  persons,  their 
factors  or  agents,  for  any  commodity  whatever.     And  it  is 
recommended  t  >  the  deputies  of  the  several  counties,  that 
committees  be  chosen  in  each  county*  by  such    persons  as 
accede  to  this  association,  to  lake   effectual  care  that  these 
resolves  be  properly  observed,  and  for  corresponding  occa- 
sionally with  the    general  committee  of  correspondence    in 
the    c-ity    of    Williamsburg.     Provided,  that    if  exchange 
should  rise,  such    advances  may  be  made   in  the    price    of 
goods  as  shall  be  approved  by  the  committee  of  each  colony. 
8thly.  In  order  the  better  to  distinguish  such  worthy  mer- 
chants and  traders  who  are  well  wishers  to  the  colony  from 
those  who  may  attempt,  through  motives  of  self-interest,  to 
to  obstruct  our  views,  we  do  hereby  resolve,  that  we  will 
not,  after   the  first   day  of  November  next,  deal  with  any 
merchant  or  trader  who  will  not  sign  this  association,  nor 
until  he  hath    obtained  a  certificate  of  his  having  done  so 
from  the  county  committee*  or  any  three  members  thereof. 
An«i  if  any  merchant,  trader,  or  other  person,  shall  import 
any  goods  or  merchandise  alter  the  first  day  of  November, 
cnmrtry  to  this,  association,  we  give  it   as  our  opinion  that 
such  goods  and  merchandise  should  be  either  forthwith  ie- 
shipped    or    dclvtud  up  to  the  county  committee,  to  be 
stored   at  the    risk  of  the    importer,  unless  such   importer 
shall  give  a  proper  assurance  to  the  said  commute  that  such 
goods  or  merchandises   shall  not  be  sold  within  this  colony 
d«  ring  the  cm  timiance  of  tin's  association  ;  and  if  such  irn- 
p  rur  shall  rduve  to  amply  with  one  or  the  other  of  these 
teims.  upon  application    at  d  clue  cauiion  i>ivtn  to  him,  or 
her,  by  the  said  committee,  or  any  three  members  thereof, 


VIRGINIA. 

nation  to  resist  the  tyrannical  measures  of  the 
British  parliament.  Contributions  in  money  and 
provisions  where  every  where  voluntarily  sub- 
scribed for  the  relief  the  inhabitants  of  Boston, 
whose  cause  was  declared  to  be  that  of  all  Bri- 
tish America,  and  the  public  aitention  directed 


such  committee  is  required  to  publish  the  truth  of  the  case 
in  the  gazettes,  and  in  the  county  where  he  or  she  resides, 
and  we  will  thereafter  consider  such  person  or  persons  a$ 
inimical  to  this  country,  and  break  off  every  connection  and 
ail  dealings  with  them. 

9thiy.  Resolved,  that  if  any  person  or  persons  shall  ex- 
port tobacco,  or  any  oiher  co  nmoditv,  to  Great  Britain,  after 
the  lOlh  day  of  Aug.  1775,  contrary  to  this  association,  we 
shall  hold  ourselves  obliged  to  consider  such  person  or  per- 
sons as  inimical  to  the  community,  and  a-?  an  afifirover  of 
American  grievances;  and  give  it  as  our  opinion,  that  the 
public  should  be  advertised  of  his  conduct,  as  in  the  8th  ar- 
ticle is  desired. 

lOthly.  Being  fully  persuaded  that  the  united  wisdom  of 
the  general  congress  may  improve  these  endeavours  to  pre- 
serve the  rights  and  liberties  in  British  America,  we  decline 
enlarging  at  present ;  but  do  hereby  resolve,  that  we  will 
conform  to  and  strictly  observe,  all  such  alterations  or  addi- 
tions, assented  to  by  the  delegates  for  this  colony,  as  they 
may  judge  necessary  to  adopt,  after  the  same  shall  be  pub- 
lished and  made  known  to  us. 

I  Ithly.  Reiolv;d,  that  we  think  ourselves  called  upon  by 
every  principle  of  humanity  and  brotherly  affection,  to  ex- 
tend the  utmost  and  speediest  relief  to  our  distressed 
fellow  subjects  in  the  town  of  Boston  ;  and  therefore  most 
earnestly  reconvnend  it  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony 
to  make  such  liberal  contributions  as  they  can  afford,  to  be 
collected  and  "emitted  to  Boston  in  such  manner  as  may  best 
answer  a  desirable  pnrpose. 

I2thly,  and  lastly.  Resolved,  that  the  moderator  of  this 
meeting,  and  incase  of  his  death,  Robert  Carter  Nicholas, 
esq.  be  empowered  on  any  future  occasion  that  may  in  his 
opinion  require,  to  convene  the  several  delegates  of  this 
colony,  at  such  time  and  place  as  he  may  judee  proper; 
and  in  case  of  the  death  or  absence  of  any  delegate,  it  is  re- 
commended that  another  be  chosen  in  his  place. 


388  HISTORY  pF 

to  the  manufacture  of  arms  and  ammunition, 
and  to  military  discipline.  The  usual  games 
and  sports  of  the  people  were  evey  suspended, 
and  the  human  mind  was  prepared  by  a  variety 
of  judicious  publications,  and  by  the  animated 
discourses  of  popular  orators,  for  a  great  and  ap- 
proaching conflict :  Faces  characterized  by  ar- 
dour and  determination  were  every  where  to  be 
s^en,  and  the  sound  of  warlike  preparation  was 
heard  throughout  the  land. 

THE  governor  meanwhile  appeared  to  be  busy 
in  preparing  for  an  Indian  war,  an  object  to  which 
from  its  imminent  danger  and  its  barbarous  atro- 
cities, the  public  attention  was  now  strongly  di- 
rected. The  plans  of  the  governor  were  not 
yet  mature,  but  all  the  arguments  in  favour  of  a 
longer  delay  were  exhausted,  and  the  public  im- 
patience and  indignation  would  no  longer  be  con- 
troule d ;  under  these  circumstances  the  governor 
directed  the  immediate  march  of  the  troops,  one 
part  of  which  in  order  to  take  advantage  of  cir- 
cumstances, he  was  resolved  to  command  in 
person. 

AN  express  arrived  at  this  time  from  the  go- 
vernor,  that  he  had  made  a  treaty  with  the  Six 
Nations  and  their  cousins,  the  Delawares,  who 
had  disclaimed  all  share  in  the  outrages  perpe- 
trated by  the  Shawanese  and  their  confederates: 
The  proceedings  on  this  occasion  were  conduct- 
ed as  usual  with  Indian  formalities ;  the  hatchet 
was  buried,  belts  of  wampum  interchanged  and 
the  chain  of  friendship,  according  to  their  figu- 
rative expression,  cleared  of  rust  and  brighten- 
ed :  But  the  conduct  of  these  tribes,  notwith- 
standing these  professions,  was  not  entirely  free 
from  suspicion.  It  was  believed  that  they  had 
co-operated  with  their  allies,  and  that  their  appa- 
rently pacific  disposition  proceeded  either  from 


VIRGINIA.  389 

fear,  or  a  wish  to  paralize  the  vigour  of  military     CHAP, 
operations,  by  holding  out  the  shew  of  friend-  _ 
ship. 

MEANWHILE  the  representatives  of  the  Ame-  American 
rioan  congress  convened  agreeably  to  appoint-  congress, 
ment  at   Philadelphia,    and    Peyton   Randolph, 
late  speaker  of  the  Virginia  assembly,  was  cho- 
sen speaker. 

EEERY  thing  was  expected  from  the  meeting 
of  this  celebrated  body.  To  organize  a  govern- 
ment ;  to  draw  out  the  ele  ments  of  moral  sci- 
ence for  the  establishn.ent  of  a  system,  which 
should  unite  the  properties  of  strength  and  beau- 
ty ;  to  steer  clear  of  the  storms  of  passion  and 
the  arts  of  faction  ;  to  give  their  constituents 
the  example  of  their  own  lives  ;  to  aid  the  laws 
in  stopping  the  growth  of  anarchy  ;  to  inspire  a 
love  of  country  and  of  glory  ;  to  rouse  the  genius 
of  the  nation,  and  direct  its  eagle  flights  to  pur- 
poses of  grandeur  and  utility  ;  such  were  the  sa- 
cred duties  which  were  expected  from  this  ce- 
lebrated association.  They  had  to  deliberate  too, 
seated  on  a  volcano,  and  in  the  midst  of  arms ; 
their  bosoms  would  be  alternately  assailed  by  the 
mingled  sensations  of  tenderness  and  sorrow,  of 
terror  and  indignation  ;  they  would  have  to  mark 
the  horrors  and  waste  of  batde,  the  patient  suf- 
fering and  determined  courage  of  the  oppressed, 
and  the  temporary  triumph  of  the  oppressor ;  to 
mourn  the  death  of  the  brave,  to  consecrate  their 
memory  by  the  balm  of  public  gratitude,  to  bla- 
zon their  exploits  for  the  example  of  posterity. 
And  nobly  did  they  realize  those  expectations. 

THEN  for  the  first  time  were  exhibited  on  the 
national  theatre,  the  dignified  figure  of  Wash- 
ington, his  mind  strong  in  integrity ;  too  proud 
to  be  corrupted ;  too  stubborn  for  seduction ; 
•prepossessing  every  beholder  with  an  involuntary 


590  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  sentiment  of  respect  by  the  uncouth  graces  6f 
IV-  his  figure,  and  the  unaffected  dignity  ofhis  man- 
ners.  The  imagination  of  Henry,  spreading 
like  a  blaze  amongst  his  audience,  and  drama- 
tizing every  incident,  which  he  touched,  by  the 
magic  influence  of  his  manner.  The  profound 
capacity  of  Pendleton,  untaught  in  schools,  yet 
seizing  as  it  were  by  intuition,  the  mysteries  of 
his  subject.  Then  was  admired  the  philosophic 
ardour  of  Jefferson,  smitten  with  the  elegancies 
of  literature,  and  fired  with  the  passion  of  mak- 
ing his  country  the  rival  of  civilized  Europe  * 
The  prompt  and  lively  Lee,  the  courageous  Han- 
cock, the  equally  courageous,  ardent  and  inde- 
fatigable Adams ;  the  striking  and  singular  pe- 
culiarities of  Franklin,  whose  mind  by  a  na- 
tural aptitude  became  familiar  with  every  sub- 
ject, by  a  sort  of  creative  principle  raised  it- 
self from  nothing  to  the  heights  of  science,  and 
which,  equally  hostile  to  the  mysteries  of  politics 
and  electricity,  snatched  the  lightning  from  the 
heavens  and  the  sceptre  from  the  gripe  of  ty- 
rants. Then  too,  was  admired  the  generous  pro- 
digality of  Morris,  sustaining  by  his  own  private 
resources  the  credit  of  his  country  ;  the  sincere 
though  courtly  Randolph  ;  the  lav/  knowledge  of 
John  Adams,  wonderfully  exerted  to  enforce  the 
liberties  of  this  country.  But  this  assembly, 
great  though  it  was,  exhibited  but  a  single  con- 
stellation  in  the  American  heavens ;  every  state 
had  its  group  of  stars.  Eminent  men  in  every 
department  were  starting  up,  who  were  before 
invisible.  It  appeared  as  if  the  breath  of  the 
Almighty  had  animated  statues  of  clay  or  mar- 
ble, for  the  purpose  of  accomplishing  the  decrees 
of  his  providence. 

THE   business  of  the  meeting  was  opened  by 
Patrick  Henry,  in  a  speech  which  left  a  deep  and 


VIRGINIA.  391 

indelible  impression  on  his  hearers.  It  was  not  CHAP, 
a  dissertation  in  detail  of  American  wrongs  : 
That  subject  had  been  exhausted  by  incessant 
repetition  for  the  last  ten  years.  Every  man  in 
the  country  was  familiar  with  it.  It  was  rather  a 
solemn  appeal  to  their  feelings  and  judgment ;  an 
harangue  in  the  manner  of  antiquity :  Such  as 
might  have  been  spoken  to  the  Roman  senate 
when  P)  rrhus  or  Hannibal  had  entered  Italy.  He 
was  followed  by  K.  H.  Lee  in  a  strain  of  corres- 
ponding sentiment.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  so- 
lemnity of  the  scene,  and  when  we  associate  the 
anxious  attention  of  thirteen  states,  of  Britain 
herself,  and  indeed  of  the  civilized  world,  to 
their  deliberations;  when  we  take  in  their  own 
personal  feelings,  their  reflections  on  the  novelty 
and  boldness  of  their  situation;  their  apprehen- 
sions of  the  result,  mingled  with  their  hopes  and 
their  ambition,  perhaps  it  is  not  too  much  to  say, 
that  no  single  situation  ever  surpassed  it  in  inter- 
est  and  sublimity.  No  levities  had  place  here, 
no  play  of  words,  no  light  and  sportive  expres- 
sions ;  not  a  smile  was  to  be  seen ;  their  language 
was  suited  to  their  feelings  and  situation,  grand, 
solemn  and  sublime. 

COMMITTEES  were  appointed  to  prepare  a  de- 
claration of  rights,  and  a  statement  of  such  as 
had  been  infringed  by  acts  of  parliament ;  also, 
a  petition  to  the  king  and  address  to  the  people  of 
Great  Britain,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  province 
of  Quebec,  and  to  the  twelve  colonies  represent, 
ed  in  congress.  These  performances,  drawn  up 
in  a  stile  so  masterly  as  to  challenge  competition 
with  any  of  their  kind  in  the  old  world,  were 
adopted  by  the  house.  It  was  at  the  same  time 
unanimously  resolved,  "  tint  contributions  from 
all  the  colonies,  for  supplying  ihe  necessities 
and  alleviating  the  distresses  of  our  brethren  at 


392  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  Boston,  ought  to  be  continued,  in  such  manner, 
IV-  and  so  long  as  their  occasions  may  require  ;'? 
and  resolutions  were  entered  into  suspending  the 
importation  of  goods  from  G.  Britain  and  Ireland, 
or  any  of  their  dependencies,  and  of  their  manu- 
factures from  any  place  whatever,  after  the  first 
day  of  the  succeeding  December,  and  against 
the  purchase  or  use  of  such  goods.  It  was  also 
determined,  that  all  exports  to  Great  Britain, 
Ireland  and  the  West  Indies,  should  cease  on 
the  10th  of  September,  1775,  unless  American 
grievances  should  be  redressed  before  that  time. 
Letters  were  also  addressed  to  the  colonies  of 
St.  John's,  Nova  Scotia,  Georgia,  and  the  Flo- 
ridas,  inviting  them  to  unite  in  the  common 
cause  of  British  America.  The  business  before 
them  being  completed,  the  house  dissolved  it- 
self, having  previously  recommended  another 
congress  to  meet  on  the  10th  day  of  the  succeed- 
ing May. 

MEANWHILE  the  army  had  marched  in  two 
Battle  of  divisions  towards  the  Ohio.  The  greater  part  of 
Point  Plea-  this  body  was  composed  of  prime  riflemen,  and. 
sant.  au  were  considered  as  the  most  expert  woodsmen 

in  Virginia.  They  were  drawn  principally  from 
the  counties  of  Augusta,  Botetourt,  Bedford, 
and  Fincastle,  and  from  the  inhabitants  of  the 
frontiers  dispersed  and  ruined  by  Indian  outrages. 
For  reasons  which  could  not  be  understood,  this 
army,  which  if  kept  together,  would  have  car- 
ried every  thing  before  it,  was  formed  into  two 
detachments,  and  lo-d  Dun  more  having  dispatch- 
ed colonel  Andrew  Lewis  with  1500  men  towards 
the  mouth  of  Great  Kanhaway,  proceeded  at  the 
head  of  another  and  more  powerful  body  higher 
up  the  Ohio,  with  the  view,  as  it  is  pretended, 
of  getting  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  des- 
taging thtir  towns.  The  distance  at  which  he 


VIRGINIA.  39 

Snoved,  no  less  than  seventy,  five  miles  from  the  CHAP, 
other  division,  was  considered  as  too  great  for 
any  efficient  co  operation ;  and  it  was  matter  of 
serious  regret  to  Lewis  and  the  brave  men  under 
his  command,  that  on  approaching  the  centre  of 
the  enemy's  power,  they  should  be  deprived  of 
the  assistance  of  more  than  half  the  army,  by 
plans  whose  scope  and  object  appeared  to  all  ut- 
terly preposterous  and  incomprehensible.  The 
division  of  Lewis  had  now  reached  Poiut  Plea- 
sant, at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Kanhaivay,  when 
intelligence  was  brought  in  that  a  large  pany  of 
Indians  were  approaching  within  less  than  one 
mile  of  the  camp,  and  the  account  was  instantly 
confirmed  by  the  scouts,  several  of  whom,  al- 
though wounded,  hud  escaped  the  fury  of  the 
enemy.  Thei  e  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  An  ad- 
vance of  300  men,  under  the  command  of  colo- 
nels Lewis  and  Fleming,  was  orded  to  the  attack, 
assisted  by  captains  Dickenson,  Uurison,  Wil- 
son, I.  Lewis,  Lockridge,  Burford,  Love,  Shel- 
ves ,  and  Russell.  Lewis  commanding  the  first 
division,  marched  to  the  right  at  some  distance 
from  the  Ohio ;  Fleming,  with  the  second  divi- 
sion, to  the  left  on  the  banks  of  that  river.  The 
front  of  the  right  wing  was  attacked  at  sun  rise, 
about  an  half  a  mite  from  the  camp,  by  the  united 
force  of  the  Shawanese,  I)  e  la  wares,  M  in  goes, 
and  Tawas,  amounting  to  ljUO  men.  In  this 
dreadful  attack,  conducted  with  ail  t.he  subtlety 
and  precision  of  Indian  war;  the  fi  r-ig  UMS  in- 
cessant and  the  slaughter  prodigious.  A;  mo  it 
in  the  very  commencement  of  the  ac;ion,  Lewis 
was  mortally  wounded  ;  several  of  tne  men  were 
killed,  and  the  whole  of  the  division,  ua  ;bie  to 
(endure  the  heavy  fire  of  tne  enemy,  give  way. 
The  firing  was  scarcely  heard  on  uie  right,  vv^ca 
5  13 


HISTORY  OF 

the  division  of  Fleming  was  attacked  also  in 
front,  by  anothe  r  boch  of  savages  equally  power- 
fill,  and  the  e  fleet  was  almost  the  same.  Flem- 
ing, after  receiving  two  balls  through  his  left 
wrist,  continued  to  animate  his  men,  and  pre- 
served the  most  admiiable  coolness  and  presence 
of  mind.  His  advice,  repeated  often  in  a  loud 
voice  to  his  sddiers,  was  not  to  retire  an  inch, 
but  continually  advance  and  outflank  the  enemy, 
and  if  possible  to  get  between  them  and  the  ri- 
ver. A  short  time  after  the  commencement  of 
the  action,  both  parties  were  entirely  covered, 
and  the  most  astonsihing  precision  took  place  on 
both  sides. 

BY  the  advice  of  Fleming,  the  Virginians  were 
accustomed  to  hold  their  hats  from  behind  the 
trees,  which  being  mistaken  by  the  enemies  for 
their  heads,  were  shot  at :  The  hats  were  imme- 
diately dropped,  and  the  Indian  supposing  that 
he  had  killed  his  man,  ran  up  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  off*  his  scalp,  when  he  was  instantly  dis- 
patched. The  commander  at  length,  whilst  ani- 
mating his  men,  received  a  third  shot  through 
the  right  lobe  of  his  lungs ;  but  his  unconquera- 
ble spirit  would  not  permit  him  to  retire,  and 
his  division  conforming  to  his  advice,  continued 
slowly  to  advance  and  outflank  the  enemy,  They 
were  themselves,  however,  in  danger  of  being 
taken  in  flank  by  the  body  which  had  defeated 
the  division  of  Lewis,  when  a  reinforcement  un- 
der colonel  Held  seasonably  came  up,  and  the 
contest  along  trie  whole  line  was  renewed  with 
the  utmost  fury.  The  Indians  now  befran  to  give 
way;  but  every  inch  of  ground  was  still  con- 
tested, and  by  a  fatality  this  day  common  to 
the  commanders,  colonel  Field  was  killed  whilst 
leading  the  pur.-uit.  The  Indians,  about  one 
o'clock,  having  reached  a  position  extremely  'dif- 


VIRGINIA.  39 

ficult  of  access,  once  more  made  a  stand,  from  CHAP, 
which  it  was  at  present  thought  unadvisable  to 
attempt  their  dislodgement.  Tne  troops  halted 
as  they  were  then  formed,  and  rested  on  their 
arms.  The  whole  line  extending  aboat  one  mile 
and  a  quarter,  had  sustained  a  constant  and  equal 
weight  of  the  action  from  wing  to  wing,  and  a 
scattering  fire  still  continued  on  both  sides  until 
half  an  hour  after  sunset,  when  the  enemy  made 
good  their  retreat  in  safety  and  without  being 
pursued. 

THE  loss  of  men  in  this  engagement,  which 
lasted  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  of  the  sun, 
will  be  considered  as  trifling  by  those  who  are 
unacquainted  with  Indian  warfare.  It  should 
be  remembered  that  both  parties  were  covered 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  day,  and  their 
astonished  precision  may  be  collected  from  the 
loss  of  officers.  Of  the  three  field  officers  two 
were  killed  on  the  spot,  and  a  third  wounded  in 
three  places.  More  than  half  the  captains  and 
subalterns  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  total  of 
killed  and  wounded  amounted  only  to  one 
hundred  and  forty,  fifty  three  of  which  were 
amongst  the  slain  :  Another  evidence  of  the  ex- 
traordmary  precision  is,  that  almost  all  the  killed 
and  wounded  on  both  sides,  were  shot  in  the 
head  and  breast. 

THE  evening  after  the  battle,  an  express  ar. 
rived  from  the  governor,  with  instructions  for  co- 
lonel A.  Lewis  to  join  them  in  the  neigbourhood 
of  the  Shawanese  towns,  a  distance  of  nearly  80 
miles,  and  where  his  route  would  lie  through  a 
country  hostile,  difficult  of  access,  and  swarm- 
ing with  Indians.  As  his  lordship  must  have 
been  ignorant  of  the  late  victory,  these  instruc- 
tions were  regarded  as  extraordinary,  it  having 
been  previously  determined  that  both  detach. 


HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.     Vnents  should  approach  each  other,  for  the  pur- 
_x    i v         po^e  of  inciosu'g  the  Indians,  and  Intercepting 
"  tlu-ir  retreat;   aiid    u   -u  oicion   prevailed    after- 
wards*,  confirmed  ^y  the  disclosure  of  Conolly's 
agenc) ,  that  the  division  under  Lewis  was  devot- 
ed to  destruction,  for  the  purpose  of  breaking  the 
the  spirit  of  Virginia,  and    rendering  the  influ- 
ence and  reputation  of  the  governor  brighter  and 
mo*e  efficient. 

MEANWHILE  colonel  Lewis,  anxious  to 
avenge  the  deuth  of  his  brother,  and  in  obedi- 
en  e  to  ihe  wishes  of  the  army,  all  of  whom 
were  animated  by  the  same  spirit,  proceeded  to 
the  destiuetK.noi  .he  Shr!wai*ese  villages;  but  on 
his  way  he  wa*>  stopt  by  an  express,  informing  him 
that  the  Indians  had  procured  a  peace  from  the 
governor,  on  condition  that  the  lands  on  this 
side  the  river  Ohio  should  be  forever  ceded  to  the 
whites;  that  their  prisoners  should  be  delivered 
up,  and  that  four  hostages  should  be  immediate- 
ly given  for  the  faithful  performance  of  these 
conditions. 

WHILST  engiged  in  adjusting  the  terms  of 
the  peace,  it  was  perceived  by  lord  Dunmore  and 
his  party,  that  Logan,  a  Mi  ago  chief  of  great 
celebrity,  did  not  make  his  appearance  among  the 
deputies,  and  apprehensions  were  entertained 
that  the  treaty  would  be  insecure  without  the 
sanction  of  his  name ;  or  that  he  kept  himself 
aloof,  that  he  might  be  at  liberty  to  engage  in 
Fresh  hostilities.  Logan  was  equally  renowned 
for  hospitality  and  courage,  and  previous  to  the 
late  war,  had  been  the  steadfast  friend  of  the 
whites,  whose  vast  superiority  in  arts  and  inven- 
tion, had  been  objects  of  admiration  to  his  saga- 
cious but  untutored  mind.  As  an  orator  and 
counsellor,  he  had  been  conspicuous  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  Indians ;  but  in  the  war,  contrary  to 


VIRGINIA. 

his  past  habits  and  principles,  his  hostility  against  CHAP. 
the  Virginians  had  not  been  only  steady  and  vio-  _  v> 
lent,  but  savage,  pitiless  and  inexorable,  and  it  " 
appeared  as  if  he  wished  to  obliterate  every  ves- 
tige of  ancient  benefits,  in  the  number,  variety 
and  savtigeness  of  his  recent  murders.  Some 
attempts  had  been  made  to  account  for  a  change 
So  extraordinary  :  It  was  variously  rumoured 
that  the  family  of  Logan  had  been  killed  in  cold 
blood  by  a  party  of  Virginians,  headed  by  cap- 
tain Cresap,  or  a  man  of  the  name  of  Greathouse, 
and  that  the  venerable  chieftain,  shocked  at  a  trea- 
chery and  cruelty  af.ended  by  so  m  my  circum- 
stances of  aggravating  baseness,  had  devoted  him- 
self to  revenge.  But  this  was  only  rumour,  and 
amidst  the  hurry  and  tumult  of  war,  no  inquiry 
ears  to  have  been  m  idc  imo  the  transaction. 
At  length  a  man  appeared  in  the  absembly  bea.i'ig 
in  his  hand  a  letter  with  the  s'ginture  of  Lo^an. 
He  found  it  tied,  he  said,  to  a  war  ciub  in  a  cabin 
at  some  distance  from  the  lines.  I-  was  address 
to  lord  Dunmore,  and  was  couched  in  the  fol- 
lowing words. 

"  I  APPEAL  to  iny  white  man  to  say,  if  ever 
he  entered  Logan ':•>  cabin  hungry,  anrl  he  ^ive 
him  not  meat :  if  ever  he  came  cold  and  naked, 
and  he  cloathed  him  not.  During  the  course  «;f 
the  last  long  and  bloociy  war  Logan  remained  idle 

this  cabin,  an  advocate  for  peace.     Such   was 
y   love  for   the  whites,    that    my    countryman • 
pointed  as  they  parsed,  and  said-,    *  Logan  is  ^ 
friend  of  white  men.'     I  had  even  thought  to  have 
lived  with  you,  but  for  the  injuries  of  on-  mm. 
Colonel  Cresap,  the  last  spring,   in   cold  bio:; 
and  unprovoked,    murdered   ail   the  relations  of 
Logan,  not  even    sparing  my  women  and  chil- 
dren.    There  runs  not  a  drop  of  my  blood  in  the 
veins  of  any  living  creature.     This  called  on  me 


398  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     for  revenge.     I  have  sought  it :  I  have   killed 
__  many  :    1  have   fully   glutted    my    vengeance  : 
""  lor  my  country  I  rejoice  at  the  beams  of  peace. 
Buc  do  not  harbor  a  thought  that  mine  is  the  joy 
oi  tear.     Logan   never   felt   fear.     He   will  not 
turn  on  his  neei  to  save  his  life.     Who  is  there 
to  mourn  for  Logan  ? — Not  one." 

NOTHING  can  be  imagined  more  venerable 
than  the  strain  of  tender  and  lof;y  sentiment  run- 
ning througn  ttiis  short  address.  Parts  of  it  rise 
into  the  highest  order  of  moral  sublimity  :  It  re- 
minds us  of  Oosian,  *'  the  last  of  his  race  ;"  of 
Fmgal  "  in  the  last  of  his  fields,"  Subsequent 
inquiries  attest  the  veracity  of  Logan :  But  an 
elaborate  statement  of  this  interesting  transaction 
will  be  found  in  "  Jefferson's  Notes  on  Virgi« 
ma,"  a  book  with  which  it  should  be  presumed 
ever)'  American  is  acquainted. 


APPENDIX, 


General  Reflections. — L iterature. — Manners.— 
Commerce — Revenues. 

THE  last  fifty  years }  although  fora  consider- 
able portion  of  that  time  deficient  in  interesting- 
matter,  contain  several  particulars  which  fully  en- 
title  them  to  attention.  During  the  whole  of  the 
;er-i.  comprised  between  the  project  of  Spots- 
u.-jocl  and  its  successful  accomplishment,  in  1763, 
the  growth  of  Virginia  was  unusually  rapid,  and 
although  the  arts  by  no  means  kept  pace  v/ith 


VIRGINIA.  3S 

commerce  during  this  aera,  they  too  gradually  ad-      CHAP, 
vanced,  and  their  infant  specimens  g:ive  a  pro- 
mise of  maturity  and  glory. 

MR.  STITH'S  history  of  Virginia  has  been  al- 
ready noticed ;  a  work  which,  although  its  scope 
is  much  more  narrow,  and  the  affairs  of  which  it 
treats  of  far  less  dignity,  is  little,  if  any  thing, 
inferior  in  execution  to  lord  Clarendon's  history 
of  the  civil  disputes  in  England. 

THE  scheme  of  education  had  gradually  be- 
come more  liberal,  and  men  of  erudition  attracted 
by  the  rising  fame  of  the  colony  and  trfe  generous 
patronage  held  out  by  the  legislature,  abandoned 
their  countries,  and  became  professors  in  the  uni- 
versity. The}  came  recommended  by  the  bishop 
of  London,  and  were  generally  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  Irom  an  idea  prevalent  in  Europe,  that 
the  established  religion  should  become  a  neces- 
sary part  of  public  instruction,  and  that  there 
was  less  to  be  apprehended  from  heresy  and  infi- 
delity, when  the  principal  stations  were  filled  by 
the  licensed  champions  of  orthodoxy.  Now  and 
then,  however,  in  spite  of  the  jealous  scrutiny 
of  the  metropolitan,  some  unbeliever  would  steal 
into  the  fold,  and  notwithstanding  the  decided 
preference  to  the  church,  superior  genius  would 
sometimes  recommend  a  lay  professor.  This 
was  the  case  particularly  in  the  mathematical  de- 
partment, for  which  the  divines  were  generally 
incompetent.  It  having  long  been  the  habit  with 
that  class  to  content  themselves  with  the  portion 
of  academic  information  barely  requisite  for  their 
degrees:  Some  Greek  and  Latin,  and  some- 
times a  smattering  of  Hebrew,  with  abundance 
of  logic  and  theology. 

DURING  a  considerable  portion  of  this  asra, 
this  department  was  filled  by  Mr.  Small,  to  the 
great  benefit  of  Virginia.  Almost  all  those  emi- 


400  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  nent  spirits  who  figured  in  this  and  the  succeding 
_JV-  _  era,  were  formed  by  this  admirable  man,  and 
whatever  may  have  been  subsequently  his  princi- 
ples of  government,  it  cannot  be  a  mauer  of  in- 
difference  to  this  able  philosopher,  the  friend  and 
companion  ot  the  poetic  aiid  philosophic  Dar- 
win, that  his  pupils  in  America  should  have  rais- 
ed so  high  their  own  feme  arid  the  glory  of  their 
country. 

ABOUT  the  same  time  were  forming  in  Penn- 
sylvania souls  of  corresponding  vigour  and  capa- 
t\ .  The^liberul  and  learned  Logan  ;  the  humble 
Godfrey,  fated  like  the  invtntor  of  the  mariner's 
compass,  to  lose  tin  fame  as  well  as  iht  rewards 
of  his  discovery  ;' the  self- -aught  Franklin;  the 
self  taught  and  modest  Hittei  house,  who  may  be 
stiled  the  Newton  ol  America. 

IN  1736  the  first  newbpapei  was  published  at 
William^burg,  under  the  cliieetion  of  a  Mr. 
Purdie.  The  province  was  before  indebted  to 
the  g  tzettes  of  Boston  and  Pemibj  ivun?a,  and  a 
lew  of  the  richer  class  were  occasionally  supplied 
with  European  journals.  Soon  as  this  iocub  pre- 
sented itself,  the  genius  of  the  country,  \\hch 
beiore,  for  the  want  of  a  repositary,  either  slept 
or  wasted  itself  in  trifles  for  the  want  of  an  ade- 
quate moiive,  was  awakened  from  its  long  ai.d 
death-like  sleep  :  Rays  ci  iu,ht  from  ail  parts  of 
tne  circle  \\ere  converging  towards  this  common 
centre.  They  were  at  tirst  faintly  etched,  but 
they  soon  became,  brighter  and  more  defined, 
and  promised  at  no  dissuiit  period  to  lose  their 
separate  brightness  in  a  blaze  oi  continuous  glory. 
IN  the  session  of  1744  Jure  is  a  manifest  im- 
provement in  the  .stile  of  the  communications  be- 
ii  the  several  departments  of  government,  la 
1748  the  advertisements  ol  the  booksellers  prove 
a  considerable  expansion  of  intellect.  They  had 


VIRGINIA:  401 

bre  this  time,  with  very  few  exceptions,  enu-     CHAP, 
merated  in  their  catalogues  abundance  of  theo-  _    lv- 
logy,  a!;d  a  tew  of  the  minor  classics.     The  ad-  Appendix.1 
vertibements  of  this   date   contain  some  of  the 
most  approved  writers    in  the  arts  and  sciences, 
and  the  best  editions  of  the  ancient  and  modern 
classics. 

THIS  year  the  celebrated  Mark  Catesby  died 
in  London,  leaving  behind  him  two  hundred  cop- 
per plates  of  American  birds  and  beasts,  drawn, 
engraven  and  coloured  from  the  life  by  himself. 

THE  permission  of  the  president  in  1752,  to 
the  New  York  company  to  build  a  theatre,  may 
be  taken  as  another  evidence  of  the  growing  re- 
finement of  manners. 

THE  arrival  of  Fauquier  gave  a  decided  de- 
termination to  the  literature  of  Virginia.  Ele- 
gant in  his  manners,  correct  and  classical  in  his 
Conversation  and  writing,  the  patron  of  learning 
and  learned  men,  he  was  regarded  by  Virginia 
as  a  model  of  the  scholar  and  fine  gentleman, 
and  his  example  was  every  where  the  object  of 
humble  imitation.  Professor  Small,  whose  ma- 
thematical  skill  has  been  already  noticed,  with 
many  others  of  merit,  felt  the  ray  of  his  patron- 
age and  bounty.  It  had  been  well  if  the  gover- 
nor had  in  other  respects  exhibited  himself  as  a 
model  equally  worthy  of  imitation,  liis  rage 
for  play  introduced  it  more  generally  amorgst  the 
people  than  his  more  useful  and  estimable  quali- 
ties, and  this  execrable  vice  appeared  to  be  sanc- 
tioned by  the  example  of  the  most  amiable  man, 
and  most  elegant  gentleman  in  the  country. 

A  RAGE  for  botanical  knowledge,  induced  in 

a  great  measure  by  the  successful  and  glorious 

example  of  Linnaeus,  had   for  some  time  made 

|ts  way  into  Virginia,  and  in  no  part  of  the 

3  C 


402  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     world  was  it  prosecuted  with  more  industry  or 
IV.        genius.     The  Flora  Virginica  of  the  celebrated 
Appendix.    Clayton  was  published  at  Leyden  in  1762,  under 
the  direction  ot  Gronovius.   He  lived  in  Glouces- 
ter county,  and  left  behind  him  botanical  manu- 
scripts,  which  are  thought  to  be  more  valuable 
than  his  printed  work. 

THE  manners  of  a  people  have  so  intimate 
a  connection  with  their  literary  advances,  that  a 
knowledge  of  the  one  almost  induces  an  acquain- 
tance with  the  other. 

MADEIRA  wine,  in  considerable  quantities, 
was  imported  into  Virginia  during  this  period, 
and  so  early  as  1741,  almonds,  Barcelona  rai- 
sins, Zante  currents,  Lucca  olives,  candied  le- 
mon and  orange  peals,  perfumed  comfits,  eningo 
root,  anchovies  and  capers,  were  in  use  and  re- 
quest. The  character  ol  the  people  for  hospita- 
lity and  expense  was  now  decided,  and  the  wealth 
of  the  land  proprietors,  particularly  en  the  banks 
of  the  rivers,  enabled  them  to  indulge  their  pas- 
sions even  to  prolusion  and  excess.  Drinkii  g 
parties  were  fashionable  in  which  the  strongest 
head  or  stomach  gained  the  victory.  The  mo- 
ments that  could  be  spared  from-the  bottle  were 
devoted  to  cards.  Cock-fighting  was  also  fash- 
ionable. I  find  in  1747,  a  main  of  cocks  ad- 
vertised to  be  fought  between  Gloucester  and 
James  river.  The  cocks  on  one  side  were  called 
liacorfs  Thwider bolts,  after  the  celebrated  rebel 
oi  1676. 

The  external  revenues  of  Virginia,  or  those  le- 
vied according  to  the  regulations  of  trade,  can- 
not be  estimated  with  any  precision,  without  the 
possession  of  documents  which  are  at  present 
unattainable  by  the  author.  In  1 676,  they  were 
estimated  by  Giles  Bland,  collector  of  the  upper 
district  of  James  River,  to  be  worth  to  the  mo- 


VIRGINIA, 

ther  country  100,0001.  communibus  annis ;  but 
as  the  increase  of  commerce  would  furnish  new 
items  of  taxation,  the  present  revenues  must 
greatly  exceed  that  estimate.  The  revenue  aris- 
ing from  a  single  commodity,  may  perhaps  fur- 
nish some  ground  of  conjecture  ;  but  this  was  so 
much  more  considerable  than  the  rest  united,  that 
no  certain  estimate  could  be  built  on  the  exports 
of  this  article,  which  varied  from  50  to  60  thou- 
sand hogsheads.  An  ingenious  statist  estimates 
the  revenues  of  Virginia  arising  from  the  regu- 
lation of  trade,  at  400,0001.  per  annum.  This 
I  think,  however,  must  be  over-rated. 

THE  internal  taxes  levied  for  the  administra- 
tion of  government,  within  the  colony,  were, 
with  the  exception  of  the  governor's  salary,  con- 
tinued on  the  same  scale  of  economy  by  which 
they  had  ever  been  managed.  Three  pounds  and 
a  half  of  tobacco  formed  each  nun's  part  of  the 
public  levy.  During  the  last  seven  years  the 
tytheables,  or  those  who  contributed  to  the  sum 
of  the  public  levy,  amounted  to  one  hundred 
and  ninety  five  thousand. 

INNUMERABLE  instances  of  courage,  intelli- 
gence, genius,  ardour  and  enterprize  are  found 
during  the  latter  part  of  this  era.  In  right  of  the 
treaty  of  1763,  a  vast  and  horrid  region  denomi- 
nated the  wilderness  was  penetrated,  and  to  the 
astonishment  of  the  adventurers,  the  green  ver- 
dure of  an  eternal  spring  burst  at  once  upon  their 
view.  The  political  disquisitions  of  Lee,  Bland, 
Dickenson,  and  Jefferson,  v/hilst  they  disciplin- 
ed the  genius,  confirmed  the  patriotism  of  the 
people.  The  stile  of  Franklin  is  a  model  in  its 
way  of  perspicuous  iaconism,  useful  apoghthem 
and  splendid  epigram.  Nor  was  science  neglect- 
ed. Franklin  is  a  name  too  familiar  to  require 
notice  in  this  place.  Page,  as  an  astronomer,  en- 


HISTORY  OF 

joyed  the  respect  even  of  the  inspired  Rittenhouse, 
The  newspaper  too  an  useful  and  familiar  medium^ 
had  lor  some  time  become  a  vast  and  splendid 
focus,  which  was  incessantly  sending  abroad  rays 
of  chearing  warmth  and  temperate  giory. 

VARIOUS  towns  had  been  established  during 
this  era  oy  act  of  assembly  :  But  there  appeared 
frjm  the  first  settlement  a  lixed  and  unconquera- 
ble repugnance  to  this  mode  of  cohabitation,  and 
the  few  th  it  existed  advanced  but  slowly  in  wealth 
or  population.  The  increase  of  population  was 
nevertheless  astonishing  throughout  America ; 
that  of  Pennsylvania  alone,  amounting  so  early 
as  1755  to  220,000  souls. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Preliminary  observations.  Lord  Dunmore  conveys 
the  powder  by  nig  lit  from  the  magazine. — Peo- 
ple of  Williamsburg  are  with  difficulty  restrain- 
ed from  attacking  the  palace.—  Military  assem- 
bly at  Fredericks  burg, — Patrick  Henry  marches 
to  demand  the  restoration  of  the  powder — Re- 
turns ajter  receiving  payment.  Lady  Dunmore 
retires  on  board  the  Fowey.  Meeting  and  pro- 
ceedings of  council. — Marines  sent  by  captain 
Montague  Jor  defence  of  the  palace.  Indigna- 
tion of  the  people — Fright  of  Dunmore — agrees 
to  summon  assemlby. — Extraordinary  appear- 
ance of  this  body. — Flight  of  Dunmore — Com- 
munication between  him  and  the  assembly. — 
Dunmore  commences  a  predatory  warfare,  and 
enlists  negroes. — Committee  of  safety. — Conven- 
tion.— Battle  of  Great  Bridge. — Affair  in  Prin- 
cess Ann. — Norfolk  is  burnt. — British  attack 
Hampton,  and  are  beaten  off.  Guinrfs  Island. 
Lord  Dunmore  burns  a  part  of  his  fleet  outside 
oj  the  Capes,  and  proceeds  for  water  to  the  Po- 
tomac. Virginia  declares  herself  independent. 
Proceedings  in  congress  and  the  other  states.— 
Military  operations  of  1776. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE  several  causes  of  disgust,  which  since 
the  year  M65  had  been  accumulating  in  North- 

America,  had  now  attained  their  crisis,  and  it 

Preiimina-   required  the  utmost  delicacy  and   judgment  to 
ry  observa-  handle  th~  machine  of  colonial  government  with- 
tions.          Ollt;  effecting  a  suspension  or  even  a  total  extinction 
of  its  powers,     its  several  parts  had  become  so 
disordered  >  either  through  some  original  vice  in 
its  structure,  or  through  a  want  of  skill  and  atten- 
tion in  repairing  its  defects,  that  even  to  touch,  was 
to  endanger  wholly  iis  uses.     The  people,  fatigued 
with    reiterating   their    complaints    and  remon- 
strances against  the  injustice  of  their  government, 
rested  in  gloomy   silence,    waiting   impatiently 
some  occasion  which  should  justify  their  revolt. 
Lord  Dun  more  in  his  palace,  preserved  a  cold 
and  gloomy  state,  tenacious  of  the  execution  of 
his  orders,  yet  fearful   of  attempting  to  enforce 
them  in  tht;  present  ferment  of  public    opinion. 
A  true  account  of  the  battle  of  Point    Pleasant 
had  gotten  abroad,  and  the  laurels  with  which  he 
hud  vainly  decked   himself  on  account  of  that 
event,  began  to  wither  on  his  brow.    Every  post 
brought  accounts  of  popular  movements,  strong- 
ly impressed  by  patriot  ardour,  and  spontaneous 
eloquence  ;  resolutions  and  addresses,  in  the  true 
spirit  of  antiquity,  poured  in  from  every  quarter, 
directing  the  public   contempt  and  indignation 


VIRGINIA.3  407 

against  those  corrupt  ministers  who  sought  in  the 
oppression  of  the  American  provinces  to  esta- 
blish their  wicked  principles  of  government 
throughout  the  empire. 

THE  public  journals  too,  faithful  to  the  princi- 
ples which  can  alone  afford  security  to  the  press, 
generously  seconded  the  popular  impulse  and 
gave  body  and  spirit  to  the  public  will.  Innu- 
merable essays  conceived  and  executed  with 
judgment ;  the  lively  paragraph,  the  quick  and 
pointed  reply,  the  instructive  anecdote  and  spark- 
ling epigram,  severally  contributed  their  quotas 
in  ail  the  varieties  in  which  the  human  capacity 
is  capable  when  set  free  from  the  fetters  of  habit 
and  the  slavery  of  precedents. — The  people  of 
Virginia  and  her  sister  states  may  not  inaptly 
be  compared  to  a  giant  collected  in  his  might, 
having  all  his  powers  immediately  at  his  com- 
mand and  prepared  to  strike. 

THE  effort  on  both  sides  was  too  painful  to  last 
longer,  and  Dunmore  was  relieved  from  his  state 
of  suspense  and  uncertainty  by  an  order  addressed 
at  the  sume  time  to  the  governors  of  the  provin-  more  con- 
ces,  to  disarm  the  people  by  seizing  on  the  se/e-  ve>s  llle 
ral  depots  of  arms  and  ammunition,  and  to  adopt  Powde^ 
such   other    precautionary  measure  as   in  their  ^razirfe 
judgments  were  best  calculated  to  check  the  sup-  at  Wiiii- 
postd  disposition  to  rebellion.     Immediately  on  amsburg. 
receipt  of  these    instructions,  lord  Dunmore  se- 
cretly conveyed  the  powder  from  the  magazine  in 
Williamsburg  on  board  the  Magdalen  man  of  war, 
and  knowing  that  this  measure   would    confirm 
the  jealousies  and  inflame  the  resentment  of  the 
people,  he  immediately  armed  his  servants,  toge- 
ther with  the  Shawanese  hostages,  for  the  defence 
of  his  person,  and  prepared  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  extra  musquets,  which  lay  on  the  palace 
floor  ready   loaded  and  primed  for  the  occasion. 


HISTORY  OF 

He  was  not  content  with  these  precautions,  and 
the  captains  of  the  ships  of  war  lying  at  York 
were  instructed  to  have  in  readiness  a  picked  body 
of  marines  and  sailors  to  march  at  a  moment's 
warning  for  the  defence  of  the  palace. 

THE  first  intelligence  of  this  event  was  attend- 
The  people  ed  with  all  the  effects  which  had  been  foreseen, 
are  with       The    volunteers   of  Williamsburg  immediately 
difficulty      £ew  to  amSj  an(j  could  with  difficulty  be  restrain, 
from*!"-       ec*  by  the  treasurer  and  speaker,  from  rushing  to 
tacking  the  the  palace,  and  seizing  the  person  of  the  gover- 
palace.         nor.     The   people    of  Williamsburg  convened 
without  any  notice,  and  voted  that  a  deputation 
should  be  sent  to  demand  an  immediate  restitu- 
tion of  the  powder. 

THE  mayor,  aldermen  and  common  council 
accordingly  waited  on  the  governor,  and  warmly 
remonstrated  against  the  injustice  of  taking  the 
colony's  property,  and  the  inhumanity  of  disarm- 
ing the  people  at  the  moment  when  there  was  too 
much  reason  to  apprehend  an  insurrection  of 
their  slaves.  The  govtrnor's  answer  was  couch- 
ed in  terms  of  politeness  and  apparent  sincerity. 
He  solemnly  protested  that  the  act  complain.ecl 
of,  arose  from  his  attachment  to  the  safety  of 
the  colony,  and  from  his  apprehension  that  in  the 
event  of  an  insurrection  the  magazine  did  not 
promise  sufficient  security  against  a  surprise  ; 
that  he  removed  it  in  the  night  to  avoiel  alarming 
the  inhabitants,  and  that  it  should  be  returned  so 
soon  as  it  should  be  decieled  that  his  caution  was 
unnecessary. 

THIS  answer  was  every  where  considered  as  a 
mean  and  scandalous  evasion.  It  was  said  that 
if  an  insurrection  was  apprehended,  the  arms 
and  ammunition  ought  to  be  put  in  the  hands  of 
the  people,  and  a  guard  placed  at  the  magazine,. 
His  promise  of  restoring  the  powder  was  re- 


VIRGINIA.  409 

garded  as  extorted  by  fear,  and  it  was  justly  con-  CHAP. 
eluded  that  no  reliance  was  to  be  placed  on  a 
man,  the  audqpity  of  whose  conduct  was  equalled 
only  by  the  weakness,  and  folly  of  his  justifica- 
tion, and  who  had  not  even  the  courage  to  avow 
his  proceedings. 

THESE  suspicions  were  justified  by  his  subse- 
quent conduct.  Parties  of  negroes  mounted 
guard  every  night  at  the  palace,  which  was  in 
some  measure  fortified.  Lady  Dunmore  and  her 
family  were  conveyed  by  night  on  board  the  Fo- 
wey.  Threats  were  industriously  propagated  by 
his  creatures,  that  the  first  tumult  should  be  in- 
stantly punished  by  burning  the  town  and  mas- 
sacring its  inhabitants. 

THE  indignation  of  the  people  was  wrought  up 
to  a  pitch  bordering  on  madness,  and  reports  of 
those  inhuman  threats  having  gone  abroad,* 


*  About  the  fourth  or  fifh  day  of  the  general  court, 
which  was  a  day  or  two  before  Easter,  it  was  reported  in 
Williamsburg,  that  lord  Dunrm.re  had  taken  the  locks  off 
from  most  of  the  guns  in  the  magaz  ne,  and  that  he  in- 
tended to  remove  the  powder  from  thence  on  board  the  Fo- 
wey  man  or  war.  This  report  was  said  to  have  b- en  nude 
by  one  M  Hei\  a  Sc< tchm^n,  an  armourer  employed  by  h.-rd 
Dunmore  to  clean  and  repair  the  public  arms.  The  people 
of  the  town  were  at  first  alarmed  and  provoked  at  the  re- 
po't,  and  the  town  vr  lunteers  kept  a  strict  eye  constantly 
over  the  magazine,  and  a  pretty  r>iro  :g  i*uard  over  il  every 
night,  and  pa  rolled  the  streets  till  day  break  for  several 
nights  after  Miller's  report.  But  at  ler.g  h  disbelieving  it, 
they  grew  a  little  negligent,  and  on  T'-ursday  night,  the 
20th,  djscharged  their  guards  ard  patr«l  so  long  beiore  clay, 
that  captain  O-liins,  of  the  Magdalen  armed  schooner,  with 
the  assistance  of  some  marines  and  sailors  of  the  Fowev, 
who  had  been  concealed  at  the  palace  by  lord  Dunmore's  or- 
der, suddenly  carried  off  in  his  lordship's  liitle  waggon,  ail 
the  powder  it  could  conveniently  carry,  about  aixiten  and 
£n  half  barrels,  to  Harwell's  Ferry,  where  it  was  put  on 

3D 


4iO  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  the  alarm  ran  like  an  electric  shock  through 
the  other  ecu n tits,  and  tsch  successively  caught 
and  communicated  the  flame.  The  inhabitants 
of  the  upper  country  met  at  W  illiamsburg,  to  the 
number  r.f  fillet  n  hundred  prt  pared  to  march 
down  to  the  assistance  of  the  capital ;  to  seize 
the  governor  and  crush  at  once  the  seeds  of  insur- 
rection. \Vith  this  view  three  citizens  were  de- 
puted to  repair  to  Frederick sburg,  for  the  purpose 
of  ascertaining  the  precise  state  of  affairs,  and  to 
assure  the  people  of  that  town,  that  they  only  wait- 
ed their  wish  to  march  to  their  assistance.  The 
deputies  used  such  extraordinary  exertions,  that 
they  reached  \\iiliaiT.sbuig  on  the  same  day.-- 
The  citizens,  however,  aft  ir  pay  ing  a  just  tribute 
to  the  affectionate  zeal  of  their  countrymen,  thought 
proper  to  decline  the  preferred  aid,  alledgingtbat 
they  did  not  apprehend  any  danger,  and  that  the 
governor  had  promised  to  restore  the  powder, 
"1  his  answ  er  be'i  g  re  j  ;ortt  d  to  the  Frederick  meet- 
ing, it  was  decided  that  the  people  of  Williams- 


board  the  Magdalen  or  some  o'hcr  tender,  and  carried 
down  to  Noifclk  lo  the  Fowey,  which  receiver  i»,  ci'd  Guile'ii 
rcur.d  tolork  wiih  tie  Magdalen  and  a  under  or  two.  The 
inl  r.bitarls  of  the  city,  r-s  seen  as  they  learned  that  lord 
l3iiiirrr.it  had  udtovcuied  to  disarm  then;,  by  removing 
the  locks  from  the  rcuskels,  and  the  powder  from  the  maga- 
zine, and  that  lie  had  clone  this  by  bringing  &mongst  them 
an  arn.ed  force,  fr<  m  the  rnan  rf  war,  were  greatly  alarm- 
ed -,i  d  incei  sed,  and  much  mortified  that  s-ich  an  insult  hatj 
been  ofTercd  them,  and  that  their  enemies  had  shewn  so 
much  more  vigilance  than  they  had,  and  had  performed  an 
exploit  which  carried  the  air  of  a  triumph,  and  seemed  to 
iT>ji?k  thf-m  with  the  charge  of  negligence  or  cowardice.  To 
wipe  off  this  stab,  they  flt:w  to  arms,  detti mined  to  seize 
on  ;ord  Dtintnore  and  his  advisers,  and  compel  him  to  bring 
back  the  powder;  hut  the  speaker,  treasurer,  and  other 
cool  and  moderate  men,  prevailed  on  the  volunteers  not  to 
use  any  violence. 


VIRGINIA,  41 

burg  being  under  the  influence  of  their  fears,  were     CHAP. 
not  competent  to  decide  on  a  question  which  equal- 
ly interested  the  inhabitants  of  Virginia,  and  ail 
America,  and  it  was  determined  to  march  to  their 
asbistance. 

THIS  decision  had  scarcely  been  formed,  when 
Pry  ton  Randolph,  the  late  speaker  to  the  Virgi- 
nia assembly,  and  one  of  the  deputies  to  the  ge- 
neral congress,  arrived  at  the  house  of  Edmund 
Pendieton,  one  of  his  colleagues,  on  his  way  to 
Philadelphia.  It  was  at  this  time  a  prevailing  opi- 
nion with  ail  the  leading  patriots  in  America,  that 
resistance  should  be  justified  in  the  eyes  of  God 
and  the  world,  by  the  most  perfect  decorum  and 
moderation  on  the  part  of  the  people,  and  the  most 
flagrant  and  avowed  violence  on  that  of  the  govern- 
ment. Under  this  impression  these  gentlemen 
transmitted  to  the  Fredericksburg  meeting  their 
solemn  advice,  to  abstain  somewhat  longer,  till 
the  legislature  of  the  union,  which  would  be  im- 
mediately in  session,  should  decide  on  a  plan  of 
general  and  effective  resistance. 

To  consider  this  opinion  so  imposing  from  the 
high  reputation  of  those  gentlemen,  one  hun- 
dred military  deputies*<were  chosen,  and  after  a 
long  and  animated  debate,  the  question  was  car- 
ried against  immediate  hostility  by  a  majority  of 
one  only. 

THE  report  of  those  proceedings  had  a  fortu- 
nate tendency  to  confirm  the  hopes  and  courage 
of  the  friends  of  liberty  throughout  America,  and 
in  checking  the  pride  and  damping  the  expectati- 
ons of  the  disaffected.  The  military  association 
at  Fredericksburg  encamped  in  the  fields,  com- 
pletely armed  and  equipt  for  service,  and  furnished 
with  provisions  for  several  days.  Notwithstand- 
ing some  heavy  rains,  they  refused  to  be  quarter- 
ed  in  the  town,  and  they  submitted  to  the  decisi 


412  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     on  of  their  council  with  evident  disappointment 

_v         and  regret.     At  the  same  moment  thousands  were 

arming  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  uaiud 

onlx  ioi  tLe  Fitdtrick&buig  decision  to  begin  their 

march, 

M  HE  volunteers  of  Hanover  county  alone  refus- 
ed  obedience  to  this  decision,  aj;d  were  resolved 
iili.i-y.  to  recovtr  the  powder  or  perish  in  the  attempt. 
Tlit)  h  d  chosen  for  their  leader  Patiick  Henry, 
the  \oungtr,  a  man  every  way  qualified  by  the 
txtn  me  ardor  of  his  temper  a^d  his  commanding 
eloquence.  The  magnanimous  spirit  which  im- 
peiltcl  him  in  1765,  to  denounce  the  views  of  the 
Biitish  Cabinet,  had  strongly  recommended  him 
to  the  support  and  admiration  of  his  country,  and 
after  having  exhibited  the  same  steady  and  ani- 
mated resistance  in  several  sessions  of  i he  Virgi- 
nia Legislature,  he  had  lately  been  appointed  to 
support  the  interests  of  America  in  the  legislature 
oi  the  union.  The  late  violence  of  Dunm.ore.and 
his  sanguinary  threats  against  the  persons  and  pro- 
perty of  the  inhabitants  of  Williamsburg,  had 
roused  him  in  common  with  his  countrymen,  and 
he  determined  to  defer  his  attendance  in  congress 
until  he  had  established  the  safety  and  repose  of 
his  native  state. 

HE  proceeded  from  Hanover  town  with  only 
his  own  company  of  volunteers,  but  on  his  march 
his  number  was  continually  swelled  by  reinforce- 
ments,  and  when  he  reached  Doncastle  ordinary, 
sixteen  miles  from  Williamsburg,  his  force  was 
estimated  at  500  men. 

THIS  movement  afforded  the  most  serious  alarm 
to  the  governor.  Young  Henry  was  an  object 
that  had  long  excited  in  his  bosom  the  most  deadly 
hatred  and  abhorrence.  He  had  been  regarded 
r  a  long  time  as  an  advocate,  not  merely  of  re- 
sistance oa  constitutional  grounds ;  but  of  abso- 


VIRGINIA,  413 

ilite  and  unqualified  independence,  and  every  thing     CHAP. 
was  appn  handed  from  his  determined  spirit  and  , 

the  overbearing  influence  of  his  eloquence.  The 
cnflamed  state  too  of  the  public  mind,  required 
only  a  single  spark  to  raise  it  into  open  and  gene- 
ral revolt,  and  it  was  appiehended  chat  this  inci- 
dent notwithstanding  the  late  fortunate  compo- 
sure of  public  irritation  would  light  anew  the  half 
smothered  fire  of  resentment  and  rebellion. 

IN  this  exigence  lord  Dunmore  condescended  Governor 
to  solicit  the  advice  of  his  council.  This  body  calisacoun- 
which  consisted  at  this  time  of  president  Nelson,  c 
commissary  Camm,  president  of  the  College, 
Ralph  Wormley,  colonel  G.  Corbin,  G.  Corbin, 
junr.  Wm.  Byrd,  and  John  Page,  proceeded  to 
the  council  chamber  in  the  capitol ;  but  the  go- 
vernor was  unwilling  to  trust  himself  beyond  the 
verge  of  his  fortification,  and  requested  their  at- 
tendance at  the  palace.  When  they  lied  seated 
themselves,  he  in  the  usual  form  addressed  them 
on  the  state  of  public  affairs,  and  detailed  briefly 
the  causes  which  had  induced  him  to  call  them 
together.  The  affair  of  the  powder,  the  immedi- 
ate cause  of  the  present  ferment,  he  endeavored 
to  excuse  by  stating  his  fears  that  the  volunteer 
companies  might  have  been  tempted  during  their 
musters  to  seize  the  public  magazine,  a  step  which 
would  infallibly  call  down  on  them  the  vengeance 
of  insulted  majesty ;  that  owing  to  this  salutary 
measure,  which  should  have  entitled  him  to  the 
esteem  and  gratitude  of  the  country,  the  present 
unhappy  commotions  had  taken  place,  and  tn 
even  his  life  had  been  exposed  to  daily  and  em- 
inent danger.  He  concluded  by  recommend- 
ing a  proclamation  calculated  to  quiet  the  minds 
of  the  people,  and  put  a  stop  to  those  excess 
which  if  persisted  in  could  not  fail  of  exposing 
them  to  certain  and  inevitable  destruction.  After  a 


414  HISTORY  OF 


long  pause,  John  Page,  the  youngest  member, 
ed  whether  if  the  board  should  so  advise,  his  lord. 
ship  would  consent  to  restoring  the  powder,  ad- 
ding at  the  same  time,  that  this  measure  alone  was 
wanting  to  restore  the  public  tranquility.  The 
wrath  of  the  governor  displayed  itself  in  rude  and 
indecent  terms  on  this  occasion,  and  no  one  hav- 
ing ventured  to  second  Mr.  Page,  a  silence  took 
place  of  several  minutes.  The  governor  at  length 
having  resumed  his  politeness,  rose  up  and  retir- 
ed for  the  purpose  as  he  declared  of  leaving  them 
to  a  free  and  unbiassed  deliberation.  A  procla- 
mation was  at  legth  drafted  by  Ralph  Wormley, 
calculated  rather  to  enflame  than  sooth  the  present 
discontents  :  but  a  majority  of  the  board  although 
directly  opposed  to  the  claims  of  the  people,  de- 
clared themselves  in  favor  of  a  milder  and  more 
conciliating  language  —  and  the  harsh  parts  were 
therefore  softened,  and  the  whole  was  made  to 
breathe  a  more  gentle  and  benignant  spirit. 

IN  this  form  it  was  submitted  to  the  governor^ 
who  appeared  to  feel  unusual  pleasure  in  its  pe- 
rusal, and  it  was  proposed  by  R.  Wormley  that  it 
should  be  subscribed  by  all  the  members  present, 
with  the  view  as  he  alledged  of  seeing  his  name 
handed  down  to  posterity,  as  the  strenuous  oppo- 
ser  of  a  licentious  multitude,  in  support  of  good 
order  and  government.  The  friends  of  liberty 
were  unable  to  protest  against  this  measure,  and 
were  obliged  to  content  themselves  with  a  solemn 
determination  to  abjure  in  all  places  any  agency  in 
this  transaction. 

MEANWHILE  the  alarm  increased  ;  it  was  re- 
ported  that  Henry  at  the  head  of  a  considerable 
body,  had  arrived  within  a  few  miles  of  town  —  • 
The  mayor  and  common  council  met  for  the  pur- 
pose  of  considering  what  was  most  expedient  at 
ribis,  and  it  was  proposed  that  the  mayor 


VIRGINIA.  415 

should  endeavor  to  dissuade   him   from  enter-     CHAP. 
ing  the  city.*     The  treasurer  and  colonel  Nel-         v* 
son  with  several  other  distinguished  characters 
prepared  at  the  same  time  to  exert  their  utmost 
interest  to  induce  him  to  return  and  to  avoid  eve- 
ry act  which  might  render  his  country  immedi- 
ately the  seat  of  war. 

The  house  of  colonel  Corbin,  the  receiver  ge- 
neral of  the  King's  custom,  was  exactly  in  the 
route  of  Henry,  and  he  halted  at  a  short  distance 
from  it  to  receive  the  Deputies  from  Williams- 
burg.  This  pause  gave  room  for  the  active  inter- 
position of  moderate  men  ;  and  the  receiver  gene- 
ral after  long  solicitation,  having  been  prevailed 
on  to  give  a  bill  for  the  value  of  the  powder,  Henry 
discharged  the  volunteers  and  proceeeded  to  Phi- 
ladelphia. 

IN  the  midst  of  these  events,  intelligence  arriv- 
ed of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  originating  in  an  at- 
tempt of  governor  Gage,  to  destroy  the  arms  and 


*  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  relate  in  this  place  a  singular 
address  of  lord  Dunmore,  to  the  mayor,  who  waited  on  him 
with  the  decision  of  the  common  council.  I  will  be  damn- 
ed, said  he,  if  I  were  in  your  place,  if  I  would  not  march  out 
the  town  volunteers,  and  tell  Henry's  men,  that  as  the  other 
companies  have  been  prevailed  upon  to  stop,  and  as  we  are 
satisfied  about  the  affair  of  the  powder,  you  must  not  and 
shall  not  enter  our  town,  which  is  now  in  peace  and  quietness  ; 
a  short  time  before  this,  he  swore  in  the  presence  of  the  coun- 
cil, that  if  Henry  approached  the  town,  he  would  march  out 
and  attack  him,  and  that  he  would  be  damned  if  he  would 
not  treat  him  as  a  rebel.  He  swore  that  Henry  was  the  curs- 
ed author  of  all  the  disturbances,  and  had  long  been  labour- 
ing to  overturn  the  constitution  ot  this  country,  adding  that 
he  was  a  coward,  or  he  would  have  gone  on  wi.h  the  spea- 
ker and  Pendleton,  to  Philadelphia ;  but  that  there  was  less 
danger  in  marching  against  him,  who  was  alone.  This  was 
supp  sfcd  to  allude  to  the  plan  for  seizing  the  deputies  to  con- 
gress, on  their  way  to  Philadelphia,  planned  by  Dunmore. 


416  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     ammunition  of  the  provincials,  in  the  neighbor- 
V.        hood  of  Boston.     A  coincidence  so  striking,  as 
"  such  attempts  almost  at  the  same  hour  in  the 
North  and  South,  could  not  fail  to  open  the  eyes 
of  the  most  incredulous  advocates  of  moderati- 
on ;  and  whilst  the  heroic  valor  of  the  northern 
patriots  animated  the  hope  and  courage  of  the 
Virginians  ;  they  in  their  turn  sent  back  the  ex- 
ample of  their  magnanimous  spirit,  to  cheer  their 
sufferings  and  confirm  their  resolutions.     If  they 
had  not  like  the  people  of  New  England,  as  yet 
encountered  the  enemy  in  the  field,  they  gained 
their  immediate  object,  by  the  terror  excited  by 
their  determined  courage,  nor  were  they  animated 
by  any  examples,  save  those,  which  were  derived 
from  the  courage  of  their  ancestors.     No  concert 
whatever  existed  between  them  and  the  other  co- 
lonies, and  the  affair  of  the  powder  was  decided 
before  the  battle  of  Lexington  was  ever  talked  of 
in  Virginia. 

MEANWHILE  the  governor,  uncertain  of  the  is. 
sue  of  the  Williamsburg  deputation,  was  haunted 
by  fears  for  his  personal  safety.  He  saw  himself 
surrounded  by  enemies,  and  he  found  no  refuge 
in  the  honor  and  integrity  of  his  intentions.  In 
this  exigence,  he  wrote  privately  to  captain  Mon- 
t  gue,  of  the  Fowey  man  of  war,  then  lying  at 
York,  to  send  up  at  midnight  a  detachment  of 
marines  and  sailors  to  his  assistance.  Some  sus- 
picions had  been  excited  before  the  march  of  this 
d*  tachment  by  the  Magdalen,  and  another  armed 
tender  having  approached  the  beach  :  it  was  ap- 
prehended they  had  taken  this  station  for  the  pur- 
pose of  covering  a  debarkation  of  troops.  But 
notwithstanding  the  wakeful  vigilance  of  the  peo- 
ple of  York,  th.;  detachment  had  been  landed  and 
commenced  their  march  wiuiout  suspicion  of  ihis 
event.  The  secret  was  at  length  disclosed  by  a 


VIRGINIA.  417 

letter  of  captain  Montague,  addressed  to  president     CHAP. 
Nelson,  in  which  he  threatened  to  fire  upon  York  _    v- 
if  the  least   interruption  was  offered  to   the  de-  " 
tachment.  This  determination  was  stated  to  have 
been  taken  in  consequence  of  certain  information, 
that  the  palace  was  threatened  with  an  attack  at 
day  break.     The  president  remonstrated  in  the 
strongest  terms  against  this  insolent  threat,  equally 
absurd  and   inhuman,  inasmuch   as  the  detach- 
ment had  commenced  its  march  previous  to  the 
receipt  of  his  letter,  and  no  opportunity  was  left 
of  using  his  good  offices  to  prevent  the  effusion 
of  blood. 

MEANWHILE  the  troops  arrived  at  Porto  Bel- 
lo,  a  seat  of  the  governor's  on  Queen's  creek,  Marines 
before  the  people  of  Williamsburg  had  the  slight  march  lo 
est  intimation  of  the  project.  The  intelligence  the  Palace* 
excited  at  once  their  surprize  and  indignation, 
and  captain  Innes,  who  at  this  time  commanded 
the  city  volunteers,  prepared  to  cut  them  off  on 
their  march.  At  this  juncture  captain  Foy,  the 
confidential  secretary  of  Dunmore,  went  from 
house  to  house,  conjuring  ever}'  man  he  met  to 
abstain  from  violence,  assuring  all  in  the  most 
positive  terms,  that  the  detachment  should  not 
enter  the  town,  but  that  they  should  be  conduct- 
ed by  a  back  way  through  the  park  to  the  pa- 
lace  ;  that  they  came  with  no  other  view  than  to 
protect  lord  Dunmore  from  the  assault  with  which 
he  had  been  threatened,  ai.d  that  they  should  be 
removed  the  moment  it  appeared  this  apprehen- 
sion was  not  well  founded :  Whilst  the  people 
wavered,  the  detachment  took  up  their  quarters 
in  the  palace. 

THE    news  of  this   event,  together  with  the 
sanguinary  threat  of  captain  Montague,  were  re- 
ceived throughout  Virginia  with  feelings  of  the 
3E 


418 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
V 


strongest  indignation.  Meetings  took  place  in 
every  county,  arid  an  unanimous  resolution  was 
adopted,  to  repel  force  by  force,  and  to  retaliate 
to  the  uttermost  for  any  violence  offered  ihe 
towns  of  York  and  V\  illiamsburg  by  the  ships  or 
troops  of  his  majesty.  The  people  of  Glouces- 
ter in  particular,  who  lay  contiguous,  assembled 
to  the  number  of  300,  and  came  to  a  resolution 
of  attacking  Dun  more  in  his  palace,  and  even  of 
boarding  the  ships  if  they  dared  to  put  the 
threat  of  Montague  in  execution.  This  situa- 
tion-of  affairs,  added  to  authentic  accounts  re- 
ceived from  all  quarters  of  the  desperate  valour 
of  the  people  of  New  England,  and  the  deter- 
mined  spirit  breathed  in  addresses  and  resolutions 
from  one  end  to  the  other  of  America,  convinced 
lord  Dunmore  that  a  longer  perseverance  in  the 
measures  complained  oi  would  be  attended  with 
great  personal  danger  to  himself,  and  of  an  im- 
mediate dissolution  of  the  royal  government  in 
the  province.  Yet  his  positive  instructions  would 
not  permit  him  to  relax,  and  his  absurd  pride 
ii-ductd  him  to  support  the  supremacy  of  par- 
liament, and  discountenance  by  every  means 
within  his  reach  the  bold  but  rational  claims  of 
America.  Some  plan,  however,  must  be  imme- 
diately adopted  for  appeasing  the  present  discon- 
tents. The  strength  of  the  government  was  irn- 
potei-t ;  its  arm  without  brawn  and  unnerved. 
Pie  might  rave  in  the  council  room  and  issue  the 
brute  thunder  of  proclamations,  but  unsupported 
by  fleets  and  armies,  his  rage  was  regarded  in  no 
other  light  than  the  phrenzj  of  a  chained  and  im- 
prisoned man. 

IN  this  exigence  a  council  was  summoned,  and 
colonel  William  B}rd,  who  had  hitherto  taken 
no  ckcidtd  part  in  ihe  present  dispute,  ventured 


VIRGINIA.  41 

to  advise  the  governor  to  issue  writs  fcr  calling  CHAP, 
together  the  representatives  of  the  people  as  the  v- 
only  means  of  allaying  the  public  discontent. 
The  governor  declared  emphatically,  "  that  was 
more  than  he  dared  to  do."  He  could  not  at  the 
same  time  help,  he  added,  feeling  the  greatest  asto- 
nishment at  the  inconsistency  of  those  gentlemen 
who  some  time  since  advised  a  dissolution  of  the 
assembly,  and  who  now  press  for  its  call.  The 
counsellors,  he  said,  from  the  very  nature  of  their 
appointment,  felt  a  natural  dependence  on  the 
crown,  and  they  had  always  supposed  themselves 
to  be  bound  by  the  king's  instructions ;  that  the 
power  of  calling  assemblies  together,  of  pro- 
roguing and  dissolving  them,  was  plainly  a 
branch  of  the  king's  prerogative,  which  no  one 
can  rightfully  deny  him;  that  the  exercise  of  this 
prerogative  in  the  colonies  was  sometimes  regu- 
lated by  the  king's  instructions,  and  in  ordinary 
cases  was  left  to  his  deputy's  discretion,  assisted 
by  the  advice  of  council ;  that  in  the  present  in- 
stance, his  majesty  himself  had  spoken,  and  that 
the  councillors  were  bound  by  every  tie  of  ho- 
nour, gratitude  and  duty,  to  give  the  greatest 
weight  and  effect  to  his  intentions.  John  Page 
presumed  to  deny  the  governor's  premises.  ,'  d 
his  conclusion.  They  had  not  advised  the  disso- 
lution ;  but  he  contended  that  even  the  admission 
of  this  fact  did  not  justly  attach  to  the  council  the 
charge  of  inconsistency.  Though  bound  by  the 
king's  instructions,  it  was  their  right  and  duty 
to  interpose  their  advice  to  prevent  the  adoption 
of  measures  fatal  to  the  crown  and  monarchy ; 
that  unless  such  right  be  supposed  to  exist  in  the 
council,  their  office-  was  nugatory,  and  the  for- 
mality of  consulting  them  a  mere  form  and  im- 
pertinent ceremony,  which  could  not  too  speedi- 
ly be  dispensed  with.  It  was  plain,  he  added, 


420  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  from  English  history,  that  a  denial  to  the  people 
v-  .  ^  of  a  parliament  for  any  considerable  time,  was 
attended  with  the  most  fatal  consequences,  and 
that  to  an  ignorance  or  a  denial  of  this  principle, 
the  unhappy  Charles  was  indebted  for  the  loss  of 
his  crown,  the  dispersion  of  his  family,  and  his 
own  fatal  and  untimely  end  upon  the  scaffold.  At 
the  mention  of  Charles  the  governor's  face  present- 
ed  a  mingled  character  oi  resentment  and  appre- 
hension. Mr.  Page  concluded  by  stating,  that  if 
the  people  were  deprived  of  a  legal  and  constitu- 
tional representation,  they  would  resort  to  con- 
vention, a  measure  which  in  itself  threatened 
the  subversion  of  all  regular  government. 

THE  colmcil  at  length  unanimously  concurred 
in  support  of  colonel  Byrd's  opinion,  and  the  go- 
vernor reluctantly  consented  to  issue  writs  for  an 
election  of  burgesses,  and  what  was  of  almost 
equ.'l  importance  in  quieting  the  public  agitation, 
he  agreed  to  send  back  the  detachment  of  marines 
to  the  Fowey. 

THIS  measure  operated  like  a  charm  on  the 
angry  spirit  of  the  people,  and  the  waves  which 
had  been  blown  into  commotion  in  the  conflict  of 
right  and  prerogative^  lor  a  moment  subsided. 
But  this  calm  was  not  employed  in  a  false  secu- 
rity and  inactivity ;  the  people  were  silently  pre- 
paring against  the  arduous  contest.  Rewards 
were  offered  for  the  best  specimens  of  American 
powder,  and  for  the  encouragement  of  various  ma- 
nufactures of  primary  necessity.  Attention  began 
to  be  paid  to  the  exercise  and  discipline  of  the  mi- 
litia, and  that  noble  ardour  which  had  been  roused 
in  defence  of  liberty,  was  kept  alive  by  the  same 
means  by  which  it  had  been  at  first  excited,  the 
closet  speculations  of  ingenious  men  and  the  ve- 
hemence of  popular  eloquence. 


VIRGINIA;  421 

MEANWHILE  the  day  for  the  meeting  of  the     CHAP, 
assembly  approached,  and   an  anxiery  proporti  * 

or:ed  to  the  occasion  was  visible  in  the  counte-  ir/5. 
nances  ot  the  people  and  the  governor.  Reports 
had  gone  abroad,  founded  on  some  passages  in 
intercepted  letters,  that  the  most  conspicuous 
leaders  of  the  people  were  to  be  seized  and  sent 
to  Britain.  It  was  whispered  amongst  the  inha- 
bitants of  Williamsburg,  that  th  >  marines  \vrre 
once  more  on  their  march,  and  chut  some  plui 
was  in  agitation  to  seize  the  members  of  assem- 
bly. A  notice  appeared  some  time  before  in  the 
public  journals,  warning  the  deputies  to  come 
prepared.  This  report  was  connected  with  a  sus- 
picion, that  the  depu  ies  to  the  last  general  con- 
gress were  to  have  been  seized  by  parties  of  to- 
ries,  in  consequence  of  which  they  were  escort- 
ed by  parties  ot  horse  over  the  heads  of  all  the 
rivers  they  had  to  pass.  The  governor  in  IKS 
turn,  affected  to  feel  the  greatest  alarm  for  his 
own  safety. 

IN  the  midst  of  these  mutual  jealousies  and 
apprehensions,  the  members  of  assembly  began 
to  make  their  appearance,  and  no  spectacle  per-  An  assem. 
haps  ever  was  more  striking  and  better  calculated  bj7. 
to  express  the  importance,  the  terror  and  the 
sublimity  of  the  crisis.  The  members  had  gene- 
rally come  from  considerable  distances ;  they  were 
habittd  in  hunting  shirts,  the  usual  dress  of 
American  hunters  and  warriors,  and  they  were 
generally  armed  with  rifles.  It  was  a  melancholy 
reflection  to  such  as  had  not  lost  all  sensibility,  that 
the  representatives  of  a  brave  ana  enlightened 
community  should  thus  as  it  were  be  compelled 
to  seek  any  other  protection  than  the  sacredness 
of  their  own  characters,  and  it  told  the  mournful 
secret,  that  all  confidence  and  harmony  between 
the  government  and  people  were  at  an  end  in  Vir- 


422 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
V. 


Flight  of 
governor. 


ginia.  These  reflections  were  accompanied  on 
the  part  of  the  people,  by  sentiments  of  a  proud- 
er nature.  Their  representatives  were  in  clanger ; 
they  were  menaced  wiih  arrest  and  transportation ; 
they  had  been  marked  out  for  their  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  American  liberty.  The  sages  and 
fathers  of  the  country,  by  taking  arms  for  their 
defence  into  the  sanctuary  of  the  laws,  proclaim. 
ed  at  once  their  apprehensions,  together  with 
their  resolution  of  perishing  rather  than  submit 
to  personal  _ violence  or  national  dishonour,  and 
every  heart  solemnly  pledged  its  blood  for  their 
protection ;  every  arm  was  lifted  for  their  de- 
fence . 

FAR  different  were  the  feelings  of  the  gover- 
nor ;  his  heart  died  within  him  at  the  account  of 
this  extraordinary  phce'iomenon,  and  he  aban- 
doned all  hope  of  stemming  the  torrent  of  disaf- 
fection, Every  moment  he  expected  to  be  as- 
saulted in  his  palace  and  sacrificed  to  the  rage  of 
an  incensed  people  :  The  least  noise  alarmed  him. 
The  representatives  of  the  people  in  vain  waited 
for  the  customary  communication  to  open  their 
sitting;  in  vain  his  councillors  sought  him  in  the 
council  chamber :  The  haughty  deputy  was  no 
where  to  be  found.  He  had  fled  in  the  night,  leav- 
ing behind  him  that  kind  of  stunted  communica- 
tion denominated  a  message,  in  which  the  king 
and  his  deputies  are  used  to  state  their  wants  and 
their  projects  to  the  legislature. 

NOTHING  could  exceed  the  surprize  of  the  as- 
sembl)  at  this  rash  and  unadvised  proceeding.  The 
council  were  equally  unprepared  and  concerned 
for  this  event ;  but  after  the  first  agitation  had  sub- 
th  bnn  h  s  re  unv./d  their  deliberations, 
and  a  joint  address  was  immediately  agreed  on,  to 
be  presented  by  deputies  from  each  b<r!y  to  the  go- 


VIRGINIA.  421 

yern or  on  board  the  Fowey.  In  this  he  was  en-  CHAP, 
treated,  as  the  most  likely  means  of  quieting  the 
minds  of  che  people,  to  return  to  the  palace,  and 
an  assurance  given  that  they  will  cheerfully  concur 
in  any  measure  that  may  be  proposed  for  the  secu- 
rity of  him  and  his  family.  The  answer  of 
Dunmore  was  full  of  haughty  and  unfounded  re- 
crimination. u  When,"  say  she,  '*  the  disposition 
which  the  house  of  burgesses  have  shewn  to- 
wards me,  the  returns  they  have  made  for  the  re- 
spect and  civility  I  have  been  forward  to  offer 
them ;  the  countenance  they  have  given  to  the 
violent  and  disorderly  proceedings  of  the  people, 
his  majest)  's  magazine  having  been  forced  and 
rifled  in  presence  of  some  of  the  members  of  the 
house  of  burgesses,  and  by  the  information  of 
the  committee  the  house  appointed  to  inspect  the 
magazine,  no  other  endeavours  have  been  used 
than  to  prevail  en  the  people  to  return  the  arms 
taken  out,  but  not  to  commit  the  persons  in  whose 
possession  they  were  found,  that  they  might  be 
brought  to  the  punishment  due  to  so  heinous  an 
offence,  no  less  against  the  peace  and  good  order 
of  the  country,  than  the  dignity  and  authority 
of  the  king  :  When  a  body  of  men  assembled  in 
the  city  of  Williamsburg,  not  only  to  the  know- 
ledge,  but  with  the  approbation  of  every  body, 
for  the  avowed  purpose  of  attacking  a  party  of  the 
king's  troops;  when  especially  the  house  of  bur- 
gesses, or  a  committee  of  the  house,  (which  is 
the  same)  has  ventured  on  a  step  fraught  with 
the  most  alarming  consequences,  in  oidering 
and  appointing  guards  without  even  consulting 
me,  to  mount  in  the  city  of  Williamsburg  as  is 
pretended,  to  protect  the  magazine,  but  which 
may  be  well  doubted,  as  there  then  remained 
nothing  therein  which  required  being  guarded. 
I  say  when  these  circumstances  are  duly  coasi- 


424  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  dered,  I  may  submit  it  to  your  own  judgment 
whether  I  could  reasonably  expect  an}/  gocd  ef- 
fect from  communicating  the  ground  of  my  un- 
easiness to  you."  This  imprudent  composition 
was  accompanied  by  papers  containing  the  con- 
ditions  on  which  any  of  the  colonies  might  be 
admitted  within  the  pale  of  the  royal  mercy,  all 
of  which  having  been  taken  into  consideration, 
an  answer  was  returned  equally  distinguished  for 
its  temperate  argument  and  the  solemn  resolution 
it  evinces.  In  reply  to  the  governor's  notifica- 
tion, that  a  benevolent  tender  had  been  made  to 
the  house  of  commons,  towards  bringing  to  a 
good  end  their  disputes  with  the  mother  country, 
they  say,  <l  Ne£t  to  the  possession  of  liberty, 
my  lord,  we  should  consider  such  a  reconcilia- 
tion the  greatest  ol  all  human  blessings.  With 
these  dispositions  we  entered  into  a  consideration 
of  that  resolution.  We  examined  it  minutely. 
We  viewed  it  in  every  point  of  light  in  which 
wre  were  able  to  place  it,  and  with  pain  and  dis- 
appointment we  must  ultimately  declare  it  only 
changes  the  form  without  lightening  the  burden 
of  oppression.  We  cannot,  my  lord,  close  with 
the  terms  of  that  resolution."  They  then  pro- 
ceed to  a  detail  of  their  reasons  for  their  rejecting 
the  proffered  charity  :  Reasons  which,  if  aught 
could  convince  the  obstinacy  of  ministers,  h.,d 
not  been  without  success  on  this  occasion. 

"  THESE, my  lord,  (say  they  in  the  conclusion 
of  this  admirable  production)  are  our  semi- 
ments  on  this  important  subject,  which  we  offer 
only  as  an  individual  pa^t  of  the  whole  empire. 
Final  determination  we  leave  to  the  general  con- 
gress now  sitting,  before  whom  we  now  shall  lay 
the  papers  your  lordship  has  communicated  to  us. 
To  their  witMjom  we  commit  the  improvement 
of  this  important  advance ;  if  it  can  be  wrought 


VIRGINIA.  425 

into  any  good,  we  are  assured  they  will  do  it.  To  CHAP. 
them  also  we  refer  the  discovery  of  that  proper 
method  of  representing  our  well  founded  griev- 
ances, which  your  lordship  assures  us  will  meet 
with  the  attention  and  regard  so  justly  due  to 
thtm.  For  ourselves,  we  have  exhausted  every 
mode  of  application  our  invention  could  suggest 
as  proper  and  promising.  We  have  decently  re- 
monstrated with  parliament ;  they  have  added 
new  injuries  to  the  old ;  we  have  wearied  our 
king  with  supplications ;  he  has  not  deigned  to 
answer  us ;  we  have  appealed  to  the  native  ho- 
nour and  justice  of  the  British  nation  ;  their  ef- 
forts in  our  favour  have  hitherto  been  ineffectual. 
What  then  remains  to  be  done  ?  That  we  com- 
mit our  injuries  to  the  even- handed  justice  of  that 
Being  who  doth  no  wrong;  earnest!)  beseeching 
him  to  illuminate  the  counsels,  and  prosper  the 
endeavours  of  those  to  whom  rim  erica  hath  con- 
fided her  hopes,  that  through  their  wise  direction 
we  may  again  see  re-united  the  blessings  of  li- 
berty and  property,  and  the  most  permanent  har- 
mony with  Great  Britain." 

BUT  the  principal  subjects  of  legislative  at- 
tention  remained  yet  unadjusted.  ILtder  the 
pretext  that  the  fees  of  officers  could  not  be  le- 
gally taxed,  unless  the  assembly  would  renew  the 
fee  bill,  the  lawyers  of  the  general  court  refused 
to  transact  business,  and  cue  courts  of  justice 
were  closed.  This  procedure  had  its  rise  in  '.he 
two  fold  wish,  of  procuring  a  meeting  of  assem- 
bly, and  during  a  crisis  of  great  civil  agiu.ioa 
and  embarrassment  of  guarding  the  people  against 
the  operation  of  suits  principally  foreign,  ano- 
ther measure  of  acknowledged  importance,  was 
the  formation  of  a  fund  for  defraying  the  charges 
of  the  late  expedition  against  the  Indians,  aud 


2o  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  satisfying  the  arrears  due  to  the  brave  men  enf 
gaged  on  that  arduous  service.  Bills  for  both 
tht&c  purposes  were  passed  without  hesitation; 
but  on  account  of  some  preterded  defect  in  the 
fee  bill,  and  the  former  alleged  disallowance  by 
his  majesty  of  ten  per  cent,  on  slaves  provided 
for  the  military  charges,  the  governor  objected 
to  both,  and  finally  refused  to  exercise  this  es~ 
sential  part  of  executive  duty,  unless  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people  repahed  to  York,  where 
they  must  legislate  under  the  guns  of  British 
ships  of  war.  The  other  parts  of  his  lordship's 
conduct  were  equally  oftcnsive.  The  application  o; 
the  burgesses  for  a  restoration  of  the  powder  was 
refused,  as  well  as  their  solicitation  that  the  gur>s 
should  be  removed  from  the  palace  to  the  maga- 
zine. 

THE  governor's  answer  being  taken  up  in  a 
committee  of  the  whole  house,  to  whom  was  rc: 
ferred  also  the  state  of  the  colony,  the  following 
resolutions  were  reported;  which  were  unani- 
mously agreed  to. 

44  Hesolved,  nem.  con.  that  his  lordship's  mes- 
sage, requiring  this  house  to  attend  him  on  board 
of  one  his  majesty's  ships  of  war,  is  a  high  breach 
of  the  rights  and  privileges  of  this  house. 

"  Hesolved,  nem.  con.  that  the  unreasonable 
delays  thrown  into  the  proceedings  of  this  house 
by  the  governor,  and.  his  evasive  answers  to  the 
sincere  and  decent  addresses  of  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people,  give  us  great  reason  to  fear 
that  a  dangerous  attack  may  be  meditated  against 
the  unhappy  people  of  this  colony.  It  is  there. 
fore  our  opinion,  that  they  prepare  for  the  pre- 
servation of  their  property,  and  their  inestimable 
rights  and  liberties,  \\  5th  the  greatest  c;r:re  and  at 
teution. 


VIRGINIA, 

-'*  Resolved,  nem.   con.    that  we  do,  and  will     CHAP, 
bear  faith  and  true  allegiance  to  our  most  graei 


ous  sovereign  George  III.  our  only  hvvfui  and  1775. 
rightful  king ;  and  that  we  will,  at  all  times,  to 
the  utmost  of  our  power,  and  at  the  risk  of  our 
lives  and  property,  maintain  and  defend  his  go- 
vernment in  this  colony,  as  founded  on  the  esca- 
blished  laws  and  principles  of  the  constitution. 

"  Resolved,  nem.  con.  that  it  is  our  most  ear- 
nest desire  to  preserve  and  strengthen  those  bands 
of  amity  with  all  our  fellow  subjects  in  Great  Bri- 
tain, which  are  so  very  essential  to  the  prospe- 
rity and  happiness  of  both  countries. 

"  Resolved,  nem.  con.  that  it  is  with  the  deep- 
est  concern  we  find  ourselves  deprived  of  an  op- 
portunity of  making  immediate  provision  for 
those  gallant  officers  and  soldiers  who  so  nobly 
defended  this  country  against  the  incursions  of 
the  Indians,  unless  we  would  sacrifice  their  o-,vn 
and  the  inestimable  rights  and  privileges  of  all 
other  inhabitants  of  this  colcfay  ;  that  as  we  have 
already  endeavoured  to  make  the  most  ample  pro- 
vision for  this  necessary  purpose,  so  will  we 
gladly  seize  every  opportunity  afforded  us  of  do- 
ing the  utmost  justice  to  those  brave  men,  and 
ail  other  public  creditors." 

THE  correspondence  between  the  governor 
and  assembly  had  now  closed  for  ever,  and  it  be- 
came necessary  to  resort  to  other  means  f  >r  giving 
effect  to  the  important  measures,  which  had  been 
already  sanctioned  by  that  body.  In  this  emer- 
gence, all  eyes  were  directed  to  the  council,  whose 
president,  in  the  event  of  the  death  or  absence 
of  the  governor,  was  vested  with  all  the  attri- 
butes of  executive  power.  It  was  represented 
th-.it  the  office  of  governor  was  at  present  vacant, 
by  the  voluntary  abdication  of  lord  Dunmcre, 
ind  that  the  president  might  rightfully  e:i'cr  »r> 


42&  HISTORY  OF 

on  the  discharge  of  its  proper  and  most  essential 
duties.  This  reasoning,  so  conformable  to  the 
piinciples  of  sound  policy  and  good  sense,  was 
resorted  to  at  first  with  caution,  and  after  some 
affectation  of  scruple,  so  anxious  were  the  peo- 
ple of  this  colony  to  justify  themselves  by  a  close 
adheienre  to  constitutional  forms.  But  ihis  coy- 
ness  soon  yielded  to  a  consciousness  of  right  and 
the  necessity  of  circumstances.  The  treasurer, 
a  man  of  gentle  manners,  hut  of  decided  patri- 
otism, had  declared  himself  ready  to  disburse 
any  part  of  the  public  monies  in  his  hands,  when 
culled  on  by  the  existing  authority  ;  and  the  coun- 
cil at  length,  after  a  faint  struggle  on  the  part  of 
the  governor's  friends,  assented  to  a  principle 
alike  called  for  by  its  justice  and  the  wishes  of 
die  people. 

OTHFR  circumstances  of  a  nature  equally  im- 
portant, yet  remained  unadjusted.  The  Shawa- 
nese  hostages  had  disappeared  at  the  time  of  the 
governor's  flight,  and  from  some  depositions 
taken  before  the  assembly,  there  was  but  too 
much  reason  to  apprehend  that  they  were  set  at 
large  with  a  view,  by  their  agency,  of  stimulat- 
ing the  formidable  confederacy  of  the  Shawanese 
and  their  allies  to  war  against  Virginia.  It  ap- 
peared that  the  governor  had  neither  ratified  the 
treaty  nor  given  up  the  hostages.  In  this  emer- 
gence it  was  ordered  that  George  Washington, 
Thomas  Walker,  James  Wood,  Andrew  Lewis, 
John  Walker  and  Adam  Stephen,  or  any  three 
cf  them,  be  commissioners  to  ratify  the  treaty, 
and  that  Robert  Carter  Nicholas  be  directed  to 
pay  the  charges  of  the  commission.  The  assem- 
bly, after  discharging  these  important  duties, 
adjourned  themselves. 

SOON  as  the  negotiation  had  ceased  between 
lord  Dunmore  and  the  assembly,  he  proceeded 


VIRGINIA.  429 

down  the  river  in  the  Fowey,  and  prepared  to  CHAP, 
collect  a  force  sufficient  at  least  to  check  the  pro-  v-  ^ 
gress  of  insurrection,  until  an  army  should  arrive 
from  Europe.  With  this  view  he  issued  his  pro.  Loivl 
clamation,  commanding  all  subjects  on  their  alle- 
giance  to  repair  to  his  standard ;  and  not  content 
with  this,  he  offered  freedom  to  the  slaves  who 
should  join  his  standard.  He  was  not  without  hope 
that  this  measure  would  involve  the  people  in  ;  n 
insurrection  with  this  mutinous  and  unfortunate 
race,  to  extricate  themselves  from  whose  horrors, 
they  would  be  ghd  to  solicit  his  return;  or  if 
this  should  fail,  tuey  might  be  attacked  with 
greater  advantage  b\  the  ro}  al  troops.  These  mea- 
sures of  Dunmore  only  served  to  heighten  their 
contempt  and  indignation  against  him,  and  to 
confirm  their  resolution.  Volunteer  companies, 
which  poured  into  Willb.msburg  from  every 
quarter  after  the  flight  of  i)  an  more,  solicited  to 
be  employed  against  him ;  and  the  counties  at 
their  public  meetings,  expressed  their  wishes 
that  a  regular  permanent  force  should  be  embodi- 
ed, for  the  purpose  of  repelling  at  all  points  the 
enemies  of  American  liberty. 

MEANWHILE  the  convention  met  at  Rich- 
rnond,  and  proceeded  immediately  to  the  orgaui- 
z  tiion  of  a  provisional  government.  It  was  ob-  jujy 
vious  that  the  public  enthusiasm  required  a  re- 
gular concert,  to  guard  against  the  vigilance  of 
the  enemy,  and  to  preserve  the  tranquifity  of  the 
eotmtry,  and  the  legislature  was  too  numerous 
to  apply  a  remedy  with  sufficient  secrecy  and 
dispatch.  It  was  resolved  that  every  thing  relat- 
ing to  the  public  safety  vriihin  the  state  and  the 
jurisdiction  of  her  waters,  should  be  entrusted 
to  a  committee  consisting  of  eleven  members. 

THE  members   of  this  committee    were   Eel- 
mund  Pendieton,  George    Mason,  John    Page, 


430  HISTORY 

CHAP.     Richard  Bland,  Thomas  Ludwell  Lee,  Paul  Car> 
__j  rington,  Dudley  Digges,  James  Mercer,  Cartel 
"  Braxton,  William  Cahell,  and  John  Tabb.   They 
were   chosen  by    ballot  of  the  convention,  and 
were  to  remain  in  office  until  they  were  supersed- 
ed by  the  voice  of  the  convention. 

THE  defence  of  the  colony  demanded   their 
Organize  a  immediaie  and  pointed  attention,  and  it  vvis  not 
military      thought  proper  to  leave  wholly   to  the  discretion 
force.          of  a  committee  what  had  ever  been  provided  for 
by  the  legislature.     Two  regiments  ot  regulars 
were  voted  for  one  year,  and  it  was  determined 
that  a  portion  of  the  militia  should  encamp  by 
regiments  for   a  certain  number  of  days  in   the 
spring  and  autumn,  for  the  purpose  of  perfecting 
themselves  in  the  military  exercises.     This  class 
was  denominated  minute  men,  from  their  condi- 
tions of  enlistment  to  march  at  a  minute's  warn- 
ing to  any  part  of  the  colony  for  its  defence. 

MEANWHILE  the  Virginia  committee  of  safety 
convened  at  tianover  town,  and  immediately  en- 
tered upon  the  arduous  duties  assigned  them. 
Numbers  of  citizens,  elected  by  their  companies, 
attended  from  all  quarters,  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  their  commissions. 

IT  became  necessary  also  to  appoint  a  commis- 
sary oi  provisions,  and  another  of  stores,  in  or- 
der  that  depots  should  be  immediately  formed, 
adequate  to  the  pressing  wants  of  the  army. 
This  was  justly  regarded  as  an  object  of  primary 
importance,  and  on  inattention  to  it  in  providing 
for  the  exigencies  of  the  continental  army  was  at- 
tended with  the  most  serious  inconvenience.  Soon 
as  this  business  had  been  dispatched,  the  com- 
mittee turned  their  eyes  to  the  situation  of  Nor- 
folk, where  it  was  apprehended  the  principal  ef- 
forts of  Dunmore  would  be  directed.  Captain 
*  ;  .  of  the  Norfolk  vokmteerS  was  sent  down 


VIRGINIA.  431 

express  to  the  committee  of  his  county,  with  di- 
rections to  them  to  collect  and  mount  all  the  can- 
non they  could  procure ;  they  were  desired  at  the 
same  time  to  transmit  an  exact  account  of  the  si- 
tuation of  affairs  in  their  neighbourhood,  in  order 
that  a  body  of  troops  if  necessary  might  be  sent 
to  their  assistance.  The  committee  after  this 
adjourned  to  Williamsburg. 

IN  the  mean  time  the  inhabitants  of  Hampton  People  of 
applied  for  assistance  to  defend  them  against  an  Hampton 

attack   threatened  by  Dunmore,  in  revenue  for  s?licitas" 
,  i  •   i    T     T  •  sistance, 

two  schooners  which  had  ocen  burnt  by  two  en- 

terprising  young  men,  of  the  name  of  Barron. 
These  men,  afterwards  distinguished  for  their 
courage  and  success  in  maritime  adventure 
against  the  British,  commanded  at  this  time  two 
pilot  boats,  a  species  of  vessel  constructed 
chiefly  with  an  attention  to  sailing,  and  kept  the 
fleet  of  Dunmore  constantly  on  the  alert  by  the  ra- 
pidity of  their  movements.  If  pursued,  by  keep- 
ing close  in  with  the  shore,  they  took  refuge  in 
Hampton. 

THE  force  of  Dunmore  consisted  at  this  time, 
according  to  the  best  information,  of  the  Mer- 
cury of  24  guns,  the  Otter  of  14,  and  the  King's 
Fisher  of  16;  two  companies  of  the  1 4th  regi- 
ment, just  arrived  from  the  West  Indies,  where 
they  had  been  trained  to  hunt  the  Caribbs,  about 
one  hundred  negroes,  and  from  twenty  to  thirty 
tory  volunteers.  He  had  in  addition  to  this  fitted 
out  two  large  ships,  which  he  had  seized,  be- 
longing to  Virginia  merchants,  in  which  he  had 
embarked  his  servants  and  effects.  The  men  of 
war  had  fitted  out  seven  tenders,  mounted  with 
cannon. 

IT  was  obvious  that  the  people  of  Hampton 
had  no  means  adequate  to  a  defence  against  such 
ft  force,  and  it  was  equally  obvious  that  on  every 


HISTORY  Ol< 

CHAP,  principle  they  were  entitled  to  protection.  Yet 
_  there  existed  in  the  committee  a  difference  of 
opinion  respecting  the  policy  of  defending  any 
part  of  the  lower  country.  It  was  even  proposed 
to  withdraw  the  inhabitants,  and  make  waste 
every  thing  before  an  invader.  But  the  argu- 
ments by  which  this  extraordinary  proposal  was 
supported,  were  exposed  in  their  true  colours  by 
John  Page,  with  the  same  unceremonious  bold- 
ness which  so  honourably  distinguished  his  op. 
position  to  the  royal  council.  He  told  them, 
that  if  the  people  of  the  lower  country,  notwith- 
standing their  known  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
liberty,  were  denied  the  aid  to  which  they  were 
entitled  in  their  distresses,  they  would  make  a 
common  cause  with  the  invader,  and  abandon  a, 
people,  who  had  neither  courage  nor  humanity  to 
protect  them.  But  independent  of  the  mischief 
it  would  cause,  by  alienating  the  affections  of  so 
valuable  a  class  of  our  citizens,  it  would  be  pro- 
ductive, he  said,  of  a  more  serious  and  vital  in- 
jury. The  peaceable  possession  of  the  lower 
country  and  of  the  waters,  would  sooner  or  later 
draw  alter  it  the  possession  of  the  rest.  The 
enemy  would  have  time  to  strengthen  themselves 
until  an  army  should  arrive  irom  Britain,  and 
possessing  all  the  channels  of  trade,  added  to  the 
means  of  defence  and  the  power  of  extending 
protection  to  its  partisans,  who  will  answer  for 
the  constancy  of  the  people,  in  the  midst  of  dif- 
ficulties, dangers  and  privations  of  every  kind. 
IT  should  be  told,  however,  that  the  project 
for  abandoning  the  lower  country  had  its  rise  in 
the  most  generous  devotion  to  the  cause  of  li- 
berty, and  was  adopted  by  men  who  had  formed 
tilt  magnanimous  determination  of  penetrating  the 
wilderness  in  the  event  of  their  efforts  proving  un- 
successful, with  the  wreck  of  the  nation,  and  of 


VIRGINIA,  43J 

preserving  the  American  name  for  better  times,     CHAP. 
and  more  prosperous   fortunes.     Such    was   the  _    v- 
project  of  Bacon,  exactly  a  century  before ;  and  " 
it  is  for  the  honour  of  our  nature  that  in  every      1775» 
state  there  existed  crouds  who  would,  have  deli- 
berately resigned  the  various  enjoyments  arising 
from  commerce,  and  retired   with  liberty  to  the 
howling  wilderness. 

THE  arguments  of  Page  had  weight  with  a 
majority  of  the  committee,  notwithstanding  some 
expressions  thrown  out  by  him,  regarded  as  per- 
sonally offensive;  ai;d  son^e  of  the  new  raistd regu- 
lars having  arrived,  captain  Nicholas  of  the  2d 
regiment,  and  captain  Lyne  of  the  King  and 
Queen  minute  men,  were  sent  down  to  relieve 
the  volunteers,  whose  time  of  service  had  ex- 
pired. But  it  was  now  considered  on  all  hands, 
that  in  the  first  encounter  with  the  British,  some- 
thing worthy  of  the  American  character  should 
be  atchieved,  \\hichlike  the  battle  of  Lexington 
would  act  as  an  example,  and  inspire  the  enemy 
with  apprehension  and  respect.  Col.  Wood  ford 
was  sent  down  with  one  hundred  mounted  i  ifle- 
men  of  theCulpeper  battalion,  without  any  other 
incumbrance  than  their  provisions  and  blankets. 

BUT  before  the  arrival  of  Wood  ford,  captain 
Squires,  with  six  tenders  full  of  men,  appeared  24th  Q 
in  Hampton  creek,  and  commenced  an  attack  on 
the  town.  He  imagined  that  thj^rnere  display  of 
his  squadron  would  have  paralised  the  courage 
of  the  new  raised  troops,  and  that  no  resistance 
would  have  been  attempted.  Ur.der  this  impres- 
sion, the  boats  under  cover  of  a  fierce  cannonade, 
rowed  towards  the  shore  for  the  purpose  of  set- 
ting fire  to  the  houses,  and  carrying  off  whate- 
ver property  should  be  spared  from  the  confla- 
gration. A  few  moments  disclosed  the 
3G 


434 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP, 


25th  Oct. 


British  at- 


of  these  expectations.  A  shower  of  bullets  soo& 
compelled  the  boats  to  return  to  the  ships,  while 
the  riflemen  disposed  in  the  houses  and  the  bush- 
es along  the  beach,  proved  that  even  the  tenders 
were  not  secure  against  their  fatal  precision.  — 
Checked  by  a  resistance  so  fierce  and  unexpect- 
ed, the  tenders  hauled  farther  into  the  stream^ 
and  further  operations  were  suspended  until  a  re- 
inforcement, which  was  hourly  expected,  would 
render  an  assault  more  certain  and  decisive. 

MEANWHILE  Woodlord  ,\vho  had  used  the  most 
extraordinary  expedition,*  arrived  at  dc-:y  break 
with  his  riflemen,  and  as  it  was  certainly  known 
that  the  enemy  would  renew  the  attack,  a  nev/ 
disposition  was  made  of  the  American  troops. 
1  he  enemy's  fleet  had  spread  themselves  with  the 
view  of  dividing  the  force  of  tht  Americans,  and 
though  it  was  intended  perhaps  only  as  a  diver- 
sion, it  was  not  improbable  that  an  attempt  would 
be  made  to  land  troops  at  a  considerable  distance 
in  the  rear  of  the  Americans.  To  guard  against 
this,  Woodfoid  disposed  the  minutt  men  with  a 
part  of  the  militia  in  his  rear,  the  remainder  of 
the  militia  was  distributed  at  different  points  on 
the  creek  to  act  as  parties  of  .observation,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances,  whilst  he  himself  took 
post  with  the  riflemen  in  the  houses,  and  every 
other  low  and  covered  position  that  presented  it- 
self on  the  be<«cr>. 

sun-  rise  the  enerm  >s  fleet  was  seen  stand- 


ton. 


tuck  Ham  p-  ing  in  loi  -he  shore,  and  having  at  length  reached 
a  convenient  position,  they  lay  with  springs  on 
their  cables,  aid  commenced  a  furious  cannon- 
ade. Double  heiidtd  and  chain  shot,  and  grape, 


*  Edmund  Petidleton,  president  of  the  committee  of 
safety,  received  the-  le 'er  at  12  o'clock  at  night*  and  there- 
tnfoicement  reached  Hampton  at  aim-rise. 


VIRGINIA.  435 

flew  in  showers  through  art  parts  of  the  town,  CHAP, 
and  as  the  position  of  the  ships  enabled  them  to  ^  • 
enfilade,  it  was  thought  impossible  to  defend  it 
even  for  a  few  mimres.  Nothing  could  exceed 
the  cool  and  sceady  valour  of  the  Virginians  ;  and 
alcho'  with  very  lewex'ieptions  wli  >iiy  unacquaint- 
ed with  military  service,  they  displayed  the  coun- 
tenance and  collection  of  veterans.  Woodford's 
commands  to  his  riflemen,  previous  to  the  can- 
nonade, were  simply  to  fire  with  coolness  and  de- 
cision, and  observe  the  profou rides t  silence. — 
The  effects  of  this  advice  were  soon  visible ;  the 
riflemen  answered  the  cannonade  by  a  well  di- 
rected fire  against  every  part  of  the  line,  and  it 
soon  appeared  tiiat  no  part  of  the  ship  was  secure 
against  their  astonishing  precision.  In  a  short 
time  the  enemy  appeared  to  be  in  some  confu- 
sion ;  their  cannonade  gradually  slackened,  and 
a  signal  was  given  by  the  commander  to  slip  their 
cables  and  retire.  But  even  this  was  attended  Are  rf* 
with  the  most  imminent  danger.  No  man  could  pu 
stand  at  the  helm  in  safety  ;  if  the  men  went  aloft 
to  hand  the  sails,  they  were  immediately  singled 
out.  In  this  condition  two  of  the  schooners 
drifted  to  the  shore.  The  commander  of  one  of 
these  in  vain  called  on  his  men  to  assist  in  keep- 
ing her  off;  they  had  all  retired  to  the  hold, 
and  declared  their  utter  refusal  to  expose  them- 
selves to  inevitable  destruction.  In  this  exigen- 
cy, deserted  by  his  men,  he  jumped  into  tne 
water  and  escaped  to  the  opposite  shore.  The 
rest  of  the  fleet  had  been  fortunate  enough  to 
escape,  although  with  some  difficulty,  and  re- 
turned to  Norfolk,* 


The  inhabitants  had^sunk  fiv^  sloops  be  lore  tue  uavn. 


HISTORY  OF 

THE  result  of  this  first  encounter  afforded  a 
ground  of  rational  triumph  to  the  people  of  Vlr- 
g  ni  i,  and  was  attended  with  the  most  beneficial 
tiled  s   on    their   future    optraiions.      Notwith- 
standing their  determination   to  conquer,  or  pe- 
rish in  tti£  just  and  necessary  contest  in  which 
they  had  been  compelled  to  engage,  they  had  hi- 
tl»t i-o  unaided  viih  respect   and  apprehension 
the  power  of  the  mother  country.     They  hoped 
iiidtxd   hat  the  justice  of  their  cause  and  the  en- 
thiibiahm  of  iibei  ty  would  furnish  a  counterpoise 
to  ihc  discipln  e  and  resources  of  their  enemies, 
but  this  had  hitherto  been  a  bare  hope,    adopted 
with  some  caution  and  unsupported  by  any  expe- 
riment.    They    had   now  made  a  trial  of  their 
strength ;  they   had  witnessed  the  effect  of  can- 
non  and  ships  without  any  material  loss,  and 
scarcely  with  any  apprehension  :    With  very  in- 
ftiior  means  they  had  beaten  their  enemies,  and 
C(  mpelltd  them    to   retreat  with  a  considerable 
loss  a  rd  dishonour, 

IT  disclosed  this  secret  of  the  utmost  conse- 
quence, and  which  was  wholly  unexpected.  The 
navy  of  Britain  had  inspired  them  with  the  just- 
est  alarm,  and  it  was  apprehended  that  their  own 
palpable  deficiency  in  ships  and  cannon,  and  mi- 
litary  tactics,  would  render  more  disproportion- 
ate these  enormous  advantages  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy ;  but  the  superior  skill  and  decision  of 
her  riflemen  were  discovered  to  be  a  counter- 
poise ;  and  the  courses  of  the  channels  of  their 
rivers,  by  compelling  ships  of  war  often  to  ap- 
proach within  rifle- shot  of  the  shores,  held  out 
the  hope  that  the  enemy  could  not  with  any  cer- 
tainty even  hold  the  dominion  of  the  v/aters. 

MEANWHILE  Dunmore  having  by  force 
and  corruption  collected  a  body  sufficient  for 
active  measures,  penetrated  in  person  Prin- 


VIRGINIA,  437 

cess  Ann  county,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  CHAP, 
some  cannon  belonging  to  the  colony.  ifitelU-  v< 
gence  of  this  having  been  conveyed  to  lieutenant 
colonel  Hutchins,  the  county  commandant,  he 
formed  the  b'.ld  resolution  of  ambushing  a  nar- 
row path  of  the  road  through  which  the  royalists 
must  pass,  and  sail}  ing  out  upon  them  in  the 
midst  of  their  confusion.  Nothing,  was  wanting 
to  ensure  success  to  this  project  but  coolness  and 
collection,  qualities  but  rarely  to  be  met  with  in 
raw  troops.  The  militia  were  disposed  by  Hut- 
chins  judiciously  in  ambush,  and  Dunmore  had 
already  entered  the  defile  in  the  confidence  of  a 
full  security,  when  without  waiting  the  signal, 
alarmed  perhaps  at  the  boldness  and  novelty  of 
their  situation,  they  broke  from  their  conceal- 
ment, and  after  a  single  ineffectual  discharge, 
fled  with  precipitation.  Nothing  could  exceed 
the  surprise  and  panic  of  the  royalists  at  the  first 
sight  of  the  Americans ;  they  huddled  together 
in  the  utmost  disorder,  and  falling  back  on  the 
main  body,  the  entrance  of  the  defile  was  choak- 
ed  by  a  confused  multitude,  unfitted  equally  for 
fighting  or  retiring.  The  two  companies  of  re- 
gulars alone  exhibited  any  thing  like  a  disposi- 
tion to  make  a  stand.  On  the  first  alarm  they 
were  hastily  formed  in  a  square,  with  Dunmore 
in  the  centre,  but  the  contagion  had  reached  them 
and  their  leader,  and  it  was  strong!}  believed  at 
the  time,  that  a  single  fire  made  with  coolness 
and  decision  would  have  completed  the  route  of 
the  whole  body. 

THE  impatience  of  the  Virginians,  and  after- 
wards their  unaccountable  panic,  prevented  their 
taking  advantage  of  this   disorder,  and  although 
but  a  single  man  was  killed,  arid  not  more  tl; 
seven  were  taken  prisoners,  it  had  for  a  n 
a  tendency  to  lessen  the  confidence  oi  the  peo- 


438  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     pie,  excited  their  mortification,  whilst  it  raised 
v-         the  hopes  and  presumption  of  the  enemy.  Colonel 
Hutchins  was  amongst  the  number  of  the  prL 
soners. 

THE  confidence  of  Dunmore  was  raised  by 
this  partial  success,  and  the  disaffected  flocked 
to  his  standard,  stimulated  by  the  hope  of  pil- 
lage and  the  promise  of  confiscation.  They  in 
general  consisted  of  Scotch  and  English  mer- 
chants and  factors,  and  a  small  part  oi  the  Prin- 
cess Ann  and  Norfolk  militia,  whom  he  had  com- 
pelled to  attend  him  in  arms,  and  a  party  of  fu- 
gitive slaves  whom  he  had  seduced  or  torn  from 
thtir  masters.  With  this  frrce,  amounting  in  ihe 
whole  to  something  more  than  two  thousand,  he 
thought  himself  in  a  condition  to  attempt  some- 
thing, and  having  heard  that  a  detachment  of 
regulars  and  minute  men  were  on  their  march  to 
attack  him,  he  took  a  strong  position  at  the  Great 
Bridge,  on  the  north  side  of  Elizabeth  river,  di- 
rectly in  the  route  of  the  colonial  troops.  At 
this  plnce  he  erected  a  fort  on  an  island  surround- 
ed by  a  marsh,  and  having  communication  only 
on  the  north  and  south  by  a  long  cause  way. 

HERE  major  Leslie  took  post  with  about  one 
hundred  regulars  of  the  14th  regiment,  while 
the  tories  and  slaves  were  stationed  in  advance, 
on  a  kind  of  highland  formed  by  the  river,  under 
the  sheker  of  a  few  old  houses. 

ME  A  N  w  KILE  the  committee  of  safety  havingre- 
ceivttl  information  that  Dunmore  was  strengthen- 
sen™ m      '  ™Z  himself  at  Norfolk  by  daily  accessions,  and 
Wood  ford   juc*8"?g  tni*t  they  would  be  justly  reproached  if 
to  Great       a  handful  of  banditti  were  permitted  to  keep  pos- 
session  of  the  largest  town  in  the  province,  and 
give  law  to  a  considerable  part  of  the  lower  coun- 
try, dispatched  colonrel   Wood  ford   with  the  -2d 
regiment,  and  a  party  of  minute  and  riflemen,  to 


VIRGINIA.  439 

uislodge  them.     They  were  directed  to  use  the 
greatest  expedition,  but  b\  an  express  from  co- 
lonel Wood  ford  of  the  next  day,  he  was  still  at 
Cobham.    He  alleged  as  the  cause  of  this  delay, 
that  the  waggon  horses,  owing  to  the  poverty  of  that 
part  of  the  country,  had  been  turned  out  to  feed, 
that  they    had  stra}  ed  in  the  night,  and  had  not 
Seen  collected  at  the  date  of  the  express.  He  men- 
tions   some   other    particulars  deserving  notice, 
that  according  to  information  which  might  be  re- 
Ikd  on.  lord  Dunmore  would  be  at  Suffolk   on 
that  day  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  forage 
and  provisions,  of  publishing  his   proclamation 
and  receiving  the  submission  of  the  people,  and 
that  in  conformity  with  an  unanimous  decision  of 
a  council  of  war,  he  had  dispatched  lieutenant  co 
lonel  Scott  and  major  Marshall  with  two  hundred 
and  fifteen  light  troops,  one  hundred  and  three 
of  which   were  good  riflemen,  to  make  a  forced 
march,  with  no   other  incumbrance   than   their 
blankets,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  him  off.  He 
was  urgent  in  his  in  treaties  for  a  reinforcement  of 
at  least  one  hundred,  and  a  supply  of  cartouch 
boxes,  bullet  moulds  and  muskets  for  the  volun- 
teers, who  were  hourly  flocking  to  his  standard. 
THIS  express  was  received  by  colonel  Chris, 
tian,  who  commanded  in  Williamsburg  during 
the  absence  of  colonel  Henry,  and  the  measures 
of  the  committee  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  ar- 
my were    prompt  and  vigorous.     The  supplies 
demanded  were  sent  with  the  utmost  expedition, 
and  by  the  advice  of  a  member  of  the  committee, 
colonel  Bullet,  who  had  been  in  all  the  actions 
with  colonel  Washington,  and  had  been  praised 
by  governor  Fauquier  for  conducting   the  cele- 
brated retreat  at  Loyal  Hanning,  was  sent  down 
to  assist  by  his  advice  and  experience. 


440  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.  EVERY  moment  was  now  interesting,  and  the 
v-  public  anxiety  kept  pace  with  the  rapid  succes- 
sion of  events.  The  detachment  under  Marshall 
and  Scott  arrived  at  Suffolk  on  the  evening  ;  but 
the  enemy  had  retired,  and  they  continued  their 
march  with  the  same  expedition  till  they  arrived 
within  seven  miles  of  the  Great  Bridge,  where 
they  surprised  a  number  of  tories.  Woodford, 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army  and  the  baggage, 
followed  close  in  his  rear  ;  on  the  25th  he  reach- 
ed Suffolk,  where  he  was  joined  by  forty  gentle- 
men volunteers  on  horseback.  He  stated  his 
confidence  in  the  courage  and  temper  of  the 
troops. 

MEANWHILE  Scott  had  seized  all  the  boats  on 
the  river,  and  manifested  a  disposition  to  cross 
it  and  attack  the  enemy  on  both  sides  at  the  same 
time.  Some  measures  had  been  already  taken, 
seemingly  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  this  plan 
into  execution. 

Two  companies  of  regulars  and  one  of  volun- 
teers were  dispatched  under  major  Spotswood,  to 
keep  open  the  communication  between  them, 
whilst  the  enemy  were  htld  in  suspense  by  vari- 
ous movements  calculated  to  divide  and  distract 
their  attention.  Parties  well  acquainted  with  the 
Country  were  sent  to  surprise  and  disarm  the  in- 
habitants who  had  taken  the  oaths  prescribed  by 

*  Dunmore;  in    one   of  these  excursions  colonel 

Wills  disarmed  two  companies,  and  took  their 
officers  prisoners. 

MEANWHILE  colonel  Woodford  arrived  with 
the  main  body,  and  a  facine  battery  was  imme- 
diately commenced,  under  the  direction  of  colo- 
nel Bullet.  But  they  were  obliged  to  wait  for 
the  arrival  of  the  troops  from  North  Carolina, 
who  according  to  information  received  from  their 
committee,  were  on  their  march  before  even 


VIRGINIA, 


1775. 
9th  Dec, 


this  small  work  could  be  mounted  with  cannon. 
The  enemy  fired  incessantly,  but  with  little  ef- 
fect, having  only  killed  tv\  o  men  and  wounded 
one,  from  the  first  to  the  ninth. 

BUT  this  interval  was  not  entirely  unemployed 
by  Woodford,  The  enemy  had  a  small  fort  low- 
er down  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  to  watch  the 
motions  of  the  provincials,  and  check  their  in- 
cursions  into  the  country  from  whence  they 
derived  their  forage  and  supplies.  It  was  prin- 
cipally manned  by  tories  and  negroes,  and 
was  a  considerable  obstruction  to  the  operations 
of  the  Virginians  against  the  works  on  the  cause- 
way. It  was  resolvtd  to  attempt  it  by  surprise, 
and  if  necessary  even  by  storm;  and  Taliaferro's 
and  Nicholas's  companies,  under  the  command 
of  col.  Stephens,  were  landc-d  at  some  distance  be- 
low the  smaller  iort,  about  day  -  break.  The  cen- 
tinels  having  given  the  alarm,  a  hot  fire  of  grape 
and  nuuquetry  opened  on  the  detachment,  but 
they  had  already  approached  too  near,  and  a  signal 
being  given  for  the  assault,  in  a  moment  they 
were  masters  of  the  fort,  which  was  abandoned 
with  precipitation  Only  two  negroes  were  killed 
and  two  taken,  on  whom  were  found  gashed  and 
cut  balls,  a  sav age  practice  which  marked  the 
inhuman  spirit  of  the  enemy.  Not,  a  nun  cf 
the  detachment,  was  either  killed  or  wounded, 
and  a  warm  eulogium  was  passed  by  the  com- 
mander on  the  gallantry  of  the  troops,  and  the 
heroic  behaviour  of  lieutenant  Tibbs  and  captain 
Nicholas,  who  were  the  first  to  enter  the  fort 
sword  in* hand. 

ON  the  morning  of  the  ninth  colonel  Bullet,  En«my  at 
who  was  stationed  on  a  line  with  a  id  co  the  lef  of  seen  Pass" 
the  breastwork,  discovered  the  e  iemy7  in  motion 
and  laying  down  the  planks  on  the  Dndge.  He 


HISTORY  Ofr 


CHAP. 
V. 


called  out  to  lieutenant  Travis,  who  commanded 
capt.  IV;eade's  con  par)  at  the  breastwork,  that  the 
enemy  were  advancing,  and  sent  a  messenger  to 
colonel  Woodford  to  the  same  effect.  Atter  this 
he  repaired  to  the  breast  work.  The  troops  at 
this  place,  beside  the  ordinary  guard  of  twenty, 
five  men,  consisted  of  forty  of  Meade's  compa- 
ny, to  these  he  addtd  forty  of  the  Augusta  rifle- 
men; another  party  of  riflemen  were  dispobed 
behind  the  houses  in  the  street :  The  main  body 
was  stationed  near  the  church  in  the  street  at  four 
hundred  yards  distance. 

THE  provincial  centinels  were  at  length  driven, 
after  having  displayed  considerable  courage  and 
fired  several  rounds ;  and  the  enemy  were  seen  pas- 
sing from  the  island  to  the  cause -way  at  about  one 
hundred  and  seventy  yards  distance,  when  a  gall- 
ing fire  commenced  from  the  breast  work.  They 
continued  notwithstanding  to  advance,  and  the 
commander  was  conspicuous  in  the  van,  animat- 
ing his  men  and  exhorting  them  to  advance  in  the 
midst  of  a  most  destructive  fire :  He  had  now 
ai rived  within  forty  five  yards  of  the  breast  work, 
and  was  waving  his  hat  as  an  assurance  of  victo- 
ry to  his  followers,  when  a  ball  struck  him  in  the 
knee  and  he  stumbled  and  fell ;  but  afraid  of  dis- 
couraging his  troops,  he  brushed  his  knee  lightly 
with  his  hand,  as  if  his  fall  had  been  merely  ac- 
cidental, and  continued  to  advance,  Bullet., 
whose  advice  operated  like  a  law  amongst  the 
soldiers,  and  who  had  inspired  them  with  his  own 
unconquerable  spirit,  directed  that  the  riflemen 
should  all  discharge  and  reload*  He  pointed  out 
to  them  the  gallant  leader  of  the  enemy,  and  told 
mindcr'is  tnern  to  keep  tne^r  eyes  on  him.  The  words  had 
tolled.  been  scarcely  uttered  when  fourteen  bullets  pierc^ 
ed  the  body  of  the  gallant  Fordyce,  the  British 
commander,  and  the  detachment  was  thrown  into 


The  Bri- 
tish com 


VIRGINIA.  443 

irretrievable  disorder.    They  had  penetrated  to    CHAP, 
within   fiiteeri   yards  of    the  breast  work  with  _     v 
charged  bayonets,  and  firing  in  platoons  in  the  " 
priming  position,  when    the  last  dreadful  volley 
struck  the  line.     Their  commander  was  dead, 
their  second  in  command  was  mortally  wounded ;    Britiih  are 
lieutenant  Batut  was  wounded  in  the  leg  and  was  repuUcd. 
on  the  ground ;  in  this  forlorn  situation  no  attempt 
was  made  to  rally  them,  and  they  retreated  preci- 
pitately back  towards  the  fort. 

JUST  as  the  retreat  commenced,  colonel  Wood- 
ford  arrived,  and  directed  a  pursuit  of  the  ene- 
my, who  were  rallied  by  captain  Leslie,  at  the 
entrance  of  the  island.  Two  pieces  of  cannon, 
which  during  the  engagement  had  played  on  the 
breast  work,  now  opened  on  the  column  led  by 
Woodford.  Their  principal  force  was  now  con. 
centrated  on  the  island ;  the  provincials  had  not  a 
single  cannon,  and  the  distance  was  too  great  for 
the  riflemen  to  act  with  any  advantage ;  a  blaze  of 
fire  was  kept  up  from  the  artillery  and  musquetry 
of  the  enemy,  and  it  was  considered  madness  to 
hazard  the  honour  and  ad  vantage  which  had  been 
gained  by  an  assault  on  the  works.  Bullet  indeed 
strongly  urged  the  propriety  of  such  a  measure, 
but  his  advice,  although  backed  by  the  enthusi- 
asm of  the  troops,  was  over- ruled  by  the  caution 
of  Woodford. 

MEANWHILE  it  was  determined  to  drive  the 
enemy  if  possible  from  the  island,  a  project  ap- 
parently of  great  difficulty  and  danger.  There 
was  a  point  of  land  seventy  yards  nearer  it  than  the 
breast  work  ;  but  the  party  attempting  to  gain  this 
post  would  be  exposed  during  the  whole  way  to 
the  cannon  of  the  enemy.  It  was  notwithstand- 
ing determined  to  gain  it  at  all  hazards,  and  colo- 
nel Stephens,  who  had  already  signalised -himself 
on  several  occasions,  was  appointed  to  this  ser- 


[U  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP.     vice.     He  proceeded   with   one  hundred 
v          chit  fly  riflenu  n,  gamed   the  point  without  sus- 
taining auy   1  >ss,  and  took  shelter  to  the  right 
of  the  enemy  behind  the  houses  on  the  point. 

THIS  movement  decided  the  fortune  of  the 
<dav.  Not  an  object  on  the  island  could  escape 
th  fatal  pm  isiou  of  the  marksmen  under  Ste- 
phens, and  af.er  a  faint  struggle  they  fled  promis- 
cuously, toiies  and  negroes,  leaving  behind  the 
two  pieces  of  c.-nnon,  beside  several  dead  and 
wom  c'ed  on  the-  ground. 

THE  advice  oi  Bullet  for  an  immediate  assault., 
was  again  renewed  with  dl  the  ardour  and  vehe- 
menv  e  that  distinguished  his  character.  It  was 
uiged  that  the  flower  of  the  garrison  was  annihi- 
lated on  the  bridge,  and  that  all  its  out- posts 
were  driven  in  ;  that  it  was  defended  only  by  ne- 
groes and  tories,  who  had  neither  the  courage 
nor  force  to  resist  the  enthusiasm  and  valour  of 
the  provincial  troops  :  But  Woodfbrd  was  fixed 
immovably  in  his  resolution  of  leaving  nothing 
to  hazard.  He  apprehended  an  ambuscade,  and 
was  unwilling  to  risk  the  reputation  he  had  al- 
ready acquired,  by  any  rash  and  unadvised  pro. 
ject.  It  was  reported  that  a  considerable  body 
of  Highlanders  were  on  their  march  to  reinforce 
the  garrison,  and  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  from 
the  island  might  have  been  only  a  feint  to  draw 
him  from  his  position. 

THE  loss  of  the  British  in  this  short  but  well 
contested  action,  was  severe  beyond  any  previous 
example.  Every  officer  was  either  killed  or 
wounded :  But  eleven  of  the  privates  escaped, 
and  it  is  affirmed  that  every  one  of  the  survivors 
was  wounded.  Captain  Leslie,  the  brother  of 
the  commander,  had  just  strength  to  reach  the 
fort,  and  immediately  fell  dead  in  his  brother's 


VIRGINIA.  445 

arms.     Lieutenant  Batut  was  wounded  in  the     CHAP. 
leg  and  taken  prisoner.  v- 

NOTHING,  could  exceed  the  tenderness  of  the 
Americans  towards  their  wounded  prisoners  ;  and 
in  celebrating  the  last  obsequies  of  the  gallant 
Fordyce,  they  evinced  a  nice  attention  to  the 
punctilious  formalities  of  military  etiquette  accom- 
panied with  those  feelings  which  do  honour  to 
human  nature.  Whilst  bending  over  the  grave 
of  the  gallant  Fordyce,  they  rested  on  their  arms 
reversed,  and  the  tear  involuntarily  started  in  their 
eyes  for  the  fate  of  this  victim  of  war. 

THIS  generous  humanity  drew  from  the  com- 
mander of  the  fort  a  polite  and  affecting  billet,  in 
which  after  expressing  his  sorrow  for  the  fate  of 
Fordyce,  he  thanks  Woodford  for  his  attention 
to  the  usages  of  war  and  the  feelings  of  human- 
ity. 

THIS  affair  afforded  the  Virginians  another 
evidence  of  their  ability  to  contend  with  their 
enemies.  The  English  were  superior  in  numbers, 
amounting  to  at  least  one  hundred  and  thirty  re- 
gulars :  The  force  of  the  Americans  actually  en- 
gaged  at  the  breast  work,  did  not  exceed  oie 
hundred,  and  these  wholly  unacquainted  with 
service.  It  is  another  singular  fact,  that  whilst 
almost  every  British  regular  was  either  killed  or 
wounded,  not  a  man  was  lost  by  the  Virginians, 
and  only  one  was  slightly  wounded. 

IM  M  E  D  i  A  T  E  L  Y  after  the  action  Woodford  sent 
an  officer  to  the  fort,  proposing  a  truce,  until  they 
had  buried  their  de.id,  which  was  gladly  accept- 
ed. But  though  the  firing  hid  ceased  the  Ame- 
ricans remained  imder  ar:rr>,  in  expectation  of 
another  attack.  Tiie  reported  arrival  of  a  consi- 
derable body  of  Highlanders  suggested  the  pro- 
bability of  a  strong  and  immediate  reinforcement. 
This  report  originating  in  misconception  in  all 


44o  HISTORY  Ofe 

probability,  saved  the  remains  of  the  British  foreto 
For  had  the  Americans  pushed  on  according 
to  the  advice  of  Bullet,  the  fort  would  have  op- 
posed a  delay  only  of  a  few  minutes  :  They  might 
have  surprized  the  governor  and  tories  in  Nor- 
folk ,  and  for  the  present  have  extinguished  the  war 
in  Virginia.  A  body  of  riighland  emigrants  had 
actually  arrived,  consisting  of  men,  women  and 
children,  in  the  last  stage  of  distress,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  settlement ;  but  they  had 
no  disposition  to  tngage  in  hostilities,  and  they 
were  wholly  ignorant  of  military  service.  They 
were  notwithstanding  impressed  by  lord  Dun- 
more. 

THIS  report,  however,  was  not  whol'y  with- 
out  its  benefit.  At  the  pressing  solicitations  of 
of  Woodford  the  army  was  reinforced  by  five 
companies  of  the  1st  regiment,  two  four  pound- 
ers, beside  a  considerable  supply  of  ammunition. 

MORNING  disclosed  the  evacuation  of  the 
fort,  and  the  precipitate  flight  of  the  enemy. — - 
Leslie,  an  experienced  officer,  seeing  no  pros- 
pect of  the  promised  reinforcement,  and  appre- 
hensive of  an  assault,  the  success  of  which  in  the 
wretched  condition  of  his  troops  could  not  be 
doubted,  transported  his  wounded  in  carts,  which 
he  had  impressed  immediately  after  his  defeat, 
down  to  the  river  and  passed  over  in  boats  to 
Norfolk. 

NOTHING  could  exceed  the  surprise  and  agita- 
tion of  Dunmore  on  receiving  information  of 
this  disaster,  and  the  tories  and  misguided  men 
who  had  subscribed,  many  of  them  no  doubt 
unwillingly,  his  test,  were  inspired  with  the  just- 
est  apprehensions.  Norfolk,  lately  the  scene  of 
of  insolent  boast  and  presumptuous  folly,  exhi- 
bited an  appearance  of  shame,  confusion  and 
dismay,  which  never  had  been  exceeded.  Thr«*. 


VIRGINIA.  447 

*ut  the  day  men  and  even  women  were  seen  trans- 
porting merchandise,  household  furniture,  every 
thing  in  fact  that  was  valuable,   to  the  water  to 
be  lodged  for  safety   on  board  the  fleet,  where        77S' 
they  themselves  were  speedily  to  follow.     Dun- 
more  himself  set  the  example   of  flight,  by  re-  RoyaijstB 
tiring  on  board  his  own  ship.      He  was  followed  go  onboard 
by  a  melancholy  train  of  wretched  fugitives  of  the  fleet, 
both  sexes,  and  of  all  colours,  who  without  any 
distinction  crouded  into  boats,  wbich  were  kept 
constantly  engaged  in  this  service.     The  ships 
of  war  drawn  up  before  the  town,  covered  the  de- 
barkation, as  if  the  Americans  were  actually   at 
hand.  But  notwithstanding  these  precautions,  seve- 
ral of  the   obnoxious  characters  were  compelled 
for  the  want  of  room  and  provisions  to  submit  to 
the  mercy  of  the  conquerors. 

WOODFORD  was  yet  at  the  Great  Bridge  so 
late  as  the  llth,  waiting  for  the  return  of  his 
waggons,  which  had  been  dispatched  to  Smith-  . 
field  for  provisions.  He  sent,  however,  lieute- 
nant colonel  Stephens  in  advance  to  Kemps  with 
six  companies,  and  having  received  the  expected 
supplies,  he  followed  with  the  army  to  Norfolk. 
He  had  been  joined  subsequent  to  the  action  by 
colonel  Howe  of  the  2d  North  Carolina  regiment, 
with  three  hundred  and  fifty  eight  men,  who  as 
senior  officer,  now  commanded  in  chief. 

MEANWHILE  Dunmore  had  sent  lieutenant 
Wallace  of  the  14th  regiment,  with  a  flag  of 
truce,  accompanied  by  Blair,  a  Scotch  merchant, 
who  commanded  a  company  of  slaves,  to  nego- 
ciate  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  Woodford  re- 
plied that  he  should  apply  to  the  convention  for 
instructions  on  this  head,  but  that  he  would  not 
suspend  his  operations.  The  president  had  al- 
ready instructed  him  to  propose  an  exchange, 
but  he  had  not  received  the  letter,  and  when  it 


HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     reached  him  he  supposed  it  came  from  the  com- 
V-     _  mittee  of  safety  instead  of  the  president  of  the 
"convention,  by  whose  directions  he  imagined  he 
was  to  be  regulated. 

THE  army  was  received  at  Norfolk  by  the  pa- 
Americtns  triots  with  transports  oi  admiration  and  gratitude  5 
enter  N«r-  by  the  remaining  tories  with  the  most  abjtct  sub- 
folk,  mission  and  supplication.  Addresses  poured  in 
from  all  quarters,  expressive  of  gratitude  for 
their  deliverance  from  insult  and  oppression,  or 
soliciting  forgiveness  for  errors  which  were  as- 
cribed to  violence  or  infatuation.  Amongst 
the  rest  the  Highland  emigrants)  abandoned  by 
Dunmore  and  reduced  to  the  extremity  of  want 
and  wretchedness,  presented  a  petition  in  which, 
disavowing  all  agency  or  interest  in  the  present 
disputes,  they  attribute  their  involuntary  fau.t  to 
the  violence  of  Dunmore,  and  appealed  to  the  well 
known  humanity  and  liberality  of  the  American 
character. 

THE  public  sympathy  was  excited,  notwith- 
standing the  anxiety  and  x  agitation  ,pf  the  public 
mind,  in  favour  of  these  wretched  suppliants, 
who  with  their  wives  and  children  were  lite  rally 
starving  in  the  streets.  They  were  clothed  and 
fed  at  the  public  expense,  and  were  enabled  to 
prosecute  their  journey  to  Cape  Fear  in  Ncrth 
Carolina,  the  place  of  tiieir  original  dcs  ination. 
MORE  than  twenty  pieces  of  cannon  were 
found  dismounted  and  spiked  on  the  unfinished 
works.  Had  Woodford  nu'.rched  immediately' 
after  the  action,  thtj  \umlcl  have  been  found  in  a 
serviceable  state  ;  ior  such  vas  tht  Umr  c,l  L  un- 
more,  that  he  forgot  to  spike  thtm  lor  two  whole 
days  after  his  debarkation.  The  river  was  full 
of  vessels  with  the  effects  of  the  luginve  tories, 
all  ot  which  too  but  for  this  delay,  had  fallen  in- 
to the  hands  of  the  victors. 


VIRGINIA.  449 

ON  the  arrival  of  the  patriot  army,  the  Otter     CHAP, 
and  King's  Fisher  with  their  tenders,  consisting  _    v> 
of  two  schooners  and  four  sloops,  together  with  " 
the  Kilbeck  and  William,  lord  Dunftiore's  ships,      1775* 
were  drawn  up  with  their  broadsides  before  the 
town  :  But  the  American  marksmen  having  ta- 
ken post  near  enough  to  pick  out  their  officers, 
when  directed  by  their   commanders,  they  fell 
down  the  river  to  the  new  distillery.     They  had 
previously  solicited  a  supply  of  wood  and  water 
from  Howe  and  Woodford,  which  was  peremp- 
torily refused. 

A  LARGE  brig  loaded  with  salt  which  had 
been  captured  by  the  men  of  war,  was  order- 
ed to  fall  down  the  river  along  with  the  squa- 
dron ;  but  in  attempting  to  execute  these  orders, 
she  was  brought  to  by  the  marksmen,  a rd  com- 
pelled to  lie  along  side  the  wharf  ;  and  a  b&rg-e  dis- 
patched by  the  men  of  war  to  tske  her  off,  \\ as 
compelled  to  rethe  \vi  h  the  loss  of  several  men. 
After  this  Squires  sent  a  flag  of  tru<  e  to  demand 
her  as  his  prize;  he-  was  answered  that  she  w:  s 
now  a  prize  to  the  Americans,  and  that  she  could 
not  he  restored. 

IT  was  expected  that  this  refusal  wouM  b  ve 
brought  on  a  cannoni.de  from  the  ships  :  But  on- 
ly a  few  cannon  shot  were  fired  at  the  town, 
which  did  no  i;  ju-y  and  were  perhaps  only  in. 
tended  to  impress  the  Americans  with  a  convic- 
tion of  their  means  of  destruction  whenever  it 
was  thought  necessary  to  exert  them. 

THE  American  riflemen  had  been  hitherto  >e- 
strained  from  firing  on  the  ships,  and  things  h.  d 
remained  in  a  kind  of  fo«.  c<  d  and  gloomv  sus- 
pense, until  the  arrival  of  the  Liverpool  frigate 
and  a  store  ship,  with  a  full  compliment  of  nun, 
when  the  whole  fleet  weighed  anchor,  and  moor=. 
31 


450 


HISTORY  OF 


GHAP. 
V. 

•MMI 

1775, 


British 

cannonade 

Noriolk. 


ed  in  line  of  battle  before  the  4own  with  springs 
on  their  cables.  In  this  position  they  remained 
until  the  25th,  when  a  requisition  for  a  supply  of 
provision  was  made  by  captain  Bellew  of  the  Li- 
verpool. Howe  declared  himself  unauthorised  to 
grant  this  indulgence  without  special  instructions 
from  the  convention,  whose  opinions  he  should  gain 
by  the  return  of  an  express  :  But  this  answer  not 
being  considered  satisfactory,  at  three  o'clock 
P.  M.  the  ships  and  tenders  opened  a  tremen- 
dous cannonade  on  the  town  with  double  headed, 
bar,  chain  and  grape  shot,  according  to  the  dis- 
tance of  objects,  and  when  it  was  hoped  that  the 
dreadful  effects  of  this  fire  had  spread  confusion 
and  panic  among  the  patriots,  they  landed  under 
cover  of  a  thick  smoke,  and  set  fire  to  different 
houses  in  several  quarters  along  the  river.  The 
\vii«d  was  favourable  to  this  project,  and  the 
flan.es  spread  with  the  most  awful  rapidity,  in- 
volving in  smoke  and  ashes  the  American  troops, 
and  prevented  any  view  of  the  operations  and  de- 
signs of  the  enemy. 

EMBOLDENED  by  the  success  of  this  opera- 
tion, the  British  landed  in  great  numbers  in  dif- 
ferent quarters.  Under  cover  of  the  cannonade, 
which  yet  continued  with  unabated  fury,  and 
marching  in  front  of  the  terrific  fire,  which  the 
wind  blew  directly  in  the  faces  of  the  Americans^ 
they  hoped  to  attack  them  to  advantage,  A  few 
moments  disclosed  the  fallacy  of  those  expecta- 
tions. Two  hundred  riflemen,  under  lieutenant 
colonel  Stephens,  wtre  immediately  dispatched 
to  strengthen  the  American  posts ;  on  a  signal 
the  patriots  rushed  undismayed  through  the  fire, 
and  in  a  moment  the  enemy  were  attacked  at  all 
the  points  of  deperaticn,  and  driven  with  slaugh- 
ter to  their  bouts. 


VIRGINIA.  4r 

IT  is  a  singular  fact,  that  during  the  whole  of     CHAP* 
this  cannonade,  the  Americans  had  not  a  single         v- 
man  killed,  and  only  seven  wounded.   The  towns 
people  were  equally  fortunate ;  only  one  person,       1775. 
an  old  woman,  was  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  cannon 
ball  in  the  back  of  the  town.    The  highest  praise 
was  bestowed  on  the  cool  and  steady  courage  of 
the  young  troops,  in  the  midst  of  a  scene  which 
would  have  shaken  the  resolution  of  veterans. 

WHILST  these  things  were  passing,  one  of 
the  Borrons  took  two  merchant  ships,  and  carried 
them  safe  into  York  harbour.  The  captains  of 
these  vessels  propagated  a  report  that  the  fleet 
was  coming  round  from  Norfolk,  and  it  was  ap- 
prehended that  Dunmore,  foiled  in  his  schemes 
at  that  place,  meditated  an  attack  on  the  defence- 
less towns  of  York  and  Williamsburg.  The 
measures  of  the  committee  of  safety  were  prompt 
to  repel  this  invasion,  and  they  were  seconded 
by  the  generous  enthusiasm  of  the  people.  Co- 
lonel Henry  and  adjutant  general  Bullett  were  at 
this  time  in  York,  examining  the  situation  of  the 
place,  with  a  view  to  its  future  defence.  The  troops 
usually  stationed  there  consisted  only  of  two  coin- 
panics  of  minute  men.  On  receipt  of  this  intel- 
ligence, Henry  sent  express  for  the  Prince  Wil- 
liam battalion,  which  had  left  York  only  that 
morning,  and  to  Williamstvarg  for  the  rifle  com- 
pany of  West  Augusta.  Bat  the  report  had  pre- 
ceded the  express,  and  these  troops  were  alrea- 
dy on  their  march  with  crouds  of  citizens,  a-id 
amongst  the  rest  several  .of  the  members  of  the 
convention  on  horseback,  armed  for  the  defence 
of  this  post.  They  .were  overtaken  on  the  road 
by  a  counter  express,  explaining  the  mistake; 
but  a  sense  of  the  exposed  state  of  this  impor- 
tant place,  suggested  the  propriety  of  a  force  du- 
rable in  its  nature,  and  adequate  to  the  exigence, 


452  HISTORY  OF 

And  in  addition  to  the  two  companies  of  the  first 
regiment  stationed  in  Wiiliamsburg,  captain 
Anderson's  minute  men,  who  had  just  been  dis- 
charged, \\ere  again  ordered  into  service,  and  the 
\\hole  with  an  armed  association  of  private  gen- 
tlemen and  members  ol  convention,  were  placed 
under  the  command  of  colonel  Andrew  Lewis. 

SINCE  the  affair  of  the  25th,  the  situation  of 
aftuus  continued  in  a  state  of  gloomy  suspence, 
noliing  having  occurred  on  either  side  worthy  of 
iv  tice  during  this  interval :   But  the  impatience 
of  the  riflemen,  notwithstanding  the  directions 
ot  thtir  officers,  was  with  difficulty  restrained. 
They  would  sometimes  amuse  themselves  by  fir- 
ir.g  at   the  ships,  and  notwithstanding  the  dis- 
tance, singled  out  individuals  on  the  decks,  and 
brought  them  down   with  their  usual  precision. 
To  punish  this  presumption,  on  the  morning  of 
i6»bD-c     ^e  16th  another  cannonade  was  opened  on  the 
1775.       town,  and  on    the   19Ji   the  Americans   having 
taken  a  boat  with  eight  seamen  and  a  mate,  be- 
longing to  the  Liverpool,  who  were  taking  in  wa- 
ter, the  bombardment  was  renewed  by  the  whole 
fleet  in  a   more   concerted  and  regular  manner. 
Under  cover   of  this  fire  a  party  of  sailors   and 
marines  landed  and  het  fire  to  the  old  distillery  ; 
but  the  post   being  reinforced,  they  were  driven 
to  their  boats.     In  this  attack  three  of  the  patri- 
ots were  killed  at  the  back  of  the  town,  and  one 
wounded.  The  British  beside  their  wounded,  which 
were  carried  off,  left  three  of  their  dead  behind. 
Sf  verai  smaller  parties  sent  out  for  the  purpose 
of  plunder,  had  no   better  success.     In  one  of 
these  a  negro  was  taken,  armed  with  a  musket 
marked  14th   regiment ;  and   in  all  cases  they 
were  able  to  save  themselves  only  by  a  precipi- 
tate retreat. 


VIRGINIA.  453 

FROM  a  conviction  that  the  fleet  could  present 
their  present  station  but  a  short  time  longer,  as 
well  from  the  obvious  impracticability  of  suc- 
ceeding as  from  the  want  of  water  and  other  ne- 
cessaries, it  was  predetermined  to  pay  some  at- 
tention to  the  security  of  those  places,  which 
would  probably  be  the  next  objects  of  the  gover- 
nor's resentment.  Hampton  had  again  become 
obnoxious  by  the  recent  enterprises  of  Birron, 
and  by  the  facility  afforded  to  tlie  American  na- 
val depredations,  and  York  was  a  desirable  ob- 
ject, as  well  from  its  position  as  the  opportunity 
it  would  afford  for  the  gratification,  of  ancient  in- 
juries. At  the  former  of  those  places,  colonel 
Gray  son  was  stationed  with  the  Prince  William 
battalion  of  three  hundred  men,  and  captain  Bar- 
ren's company  :  While  colonel  Bullet,  whose 
genius  directed  him  to  every  station  of  useful- 
ness and  danger,  was  preparing  a  battery  at  York, 
at  which  place  were  stationed  Alexander's  rifle- 
men, beside  two  companies  of  minute  men,  who 
could  be  reinforced  during  any  emergence,  by  a 
respectable  force  from  Williamsburg. 

W  H  i  L  s  T  these  things  were  passing,  events  of  the  Operations 
highest  interest  had  taken  place  in  the  other  parts  in  the  other 
of  America.     After  the  affair  of  Lexington,  the  states- 
proceedings  of  the  provincial  congress  of  Massa- 
chusetts were  marked  by  an  energy  and  decision 
becoming  their  situation,  and  worthy  the  glori- 
ous cause  in  which  they  had  embarked.     Their 
language  indeed  still  expressed  their  respect  and 
attachment  to  the  mother  country,  and  they  la- 
mented in  unaffqpted  sorrow,  the  mehncholy  ne- 
cessity to  which  they  had  been  reduced,  of  a  sub- 
mission that  would  have  dishonoured  their  prin- 
ciples, and  impaired   their  rights  and  those  of 
posterity,  or  of  a  resistance  against  ths  h-ibits  of 
their  life,  and  those  ties  of  filial  and  tender  at- 


54  HISTORY  Gi< 

CHAP,  tachment  by  which  they  were  bound  to  theii 
v-  founders:  But  superior  to  all  other  considerati- 
ons, were  the  happiness  and  freedo  n  of  the  peo- 
ple from  whom  they  had  received  their  au- 
thority, and  it  was  universally  regarded  as  the 
last  evidence  of  baseness  and  degeneracy  to  stir- 
render  those  invaluable  blessings,  which  they  in- 
herited from  God  and  nature,  and  which  con- 
fii  mcd  by  repeated  charters,  were  transmitted 
unimpaired  by  their  ancestors.  Anxious,  however, 
to  preserve  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  the  consistency 
of  their  character,  depositions  were  taken,  with 
the  utmost  impartiality,  of  the  circumstances  of 
this  encounter,  and  transmitted  to  their  agents  in 
England,  accompanied  by  a  letter  to  the  people 
of  Great  Britain,  with  the  same  information  in 
substance,  but  couched  in  a  language  better  cal- 
culated to  seize  the  imagination  and  interest  the 
pdssions. 

t  R  OM  these  resolves  they  passed  at  once  to  mea» 
sures  of  real  decision.  By  an  almost  unanimous 
vote,  it  was  determined  that  13,000  men  should 
be  immediately  raised  in  Massachusetts,  and  that 
the  remaining  members  of  the  New  England 
confederacy  should  be  called  on  for  their  quotas, 
which  would,  when  complete,  form  an  army  of 
thirty  thousand  men.  The  receiver  general  was 
by  the  same  vote  empowered  to  borrow  one  hun- 
dred thousand  pounds,  at  an  interest  of  six  per 
centum  on  the  faith  and  security  of  the  province. 

THE  neighbouring  colonies,  with  a  dispatch 
that  outran  all  forms,  furnished  their  contingents. 
But  the  generous  enthusiasm  of  £he  people,  dis- 
daining a  too  nice  proportion  at  a  crisis  so  preg- 
nant with  peril  to  all,  outstripped  even  the  speed 
of  the  legislature.  It  appeared  as  if  the  people 
at  the  call  of  their  country,  were  all  at  once  lift- 
ed up  like  the  sands  of  the  desart  for  the  purpose 


'  VIRGINIA.5  455 

of  overwhelming  their  oppressors.  Nor  did  these 
contingents  wait  the  slow  and  cumbrous  move- 
ments of  an  army.  The  several  detachments, 
and  single  companies,  and  often  individuals,  soon 
as  they  were  armed  and  supplied  with  provisions, 
began  their  march  towards  Boston,  their  counte- 
nances strongly  pourtrayed  by  all  the  generous 
and  sublime  emotions  that  swell  the  bosom  of  the 
soldier  and  the  patriot.  Never  was  sentiment 
more  general  and  consentaneous.  The  aged  for- 
got their  infirmities ;  the  softer  sex  their  natural 
timidity.  No  tear,  save  that  of  rage,  sullied 
the  cheek  of  an  American  on  this  occasion.  No 
mean  fears  had  place ;  no  unworthy  calculations 
of  consequences  ;  their  cause  was  just  and  glori- 
ous :  Their  injuries  had  been  wanton  and  un- 
provoked, and  marked  by  a  contumely  and  con- 
tempt on  the  part  of  their  enemies,  that  had 
sunk  deep  into  their  hearts.  Thus  abused  and 
insulted,  they  threw  their  fears  behind  them,  and 
prepared  to  smite  the  oppressor  in  the  midst  of 
his  power. 

BUT  this  simultaneous  movement  was  attend- 
ed with  an  inconvenience  which  should  have  been 
foreseen,  and  provided  for.  Notwithstanding 
the  long  duration  of  the  present  disputes,  and  the 
determined  obstinacy  of  the  ministry,  a  hope 
had  generally  prevailed,  that  matters  would  be 
amicably  adjusted,  and  in  consequence  of  this 
expectation,  (certainly  vain  and  illusory  if  we 
accurately  estimate  the  circumstances  of  the 
parties)  no  hoards  of  provisions,  no  magazines 
of  arms  and  ammunition  had  been  formed. 
In  consequence  of  this  fatal  neglect,  the  crouds 
that  flew  to  arms  were  disch  irged,  and  only  so 
many  were  retained  as  were  f  uniibhed  with  arms, 
and  could  be  regularly  subsisted.  These,  under 
the  command  of  general  Ward,  held  the  British 


456  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  in  a  state  of  siege  in  the  peninsula,  on  which 
Boston  stands,  and  cut  off  all  communication 
between  them  and  the  country. 

THE  province  of  New  York,  which  had  hi- 
therto refused  her  assent  to  the  proceedings  of 
congress,  threw  off  all  reserve  on  hearing  these 
events,  and  avowed  her  solemn  determination  to 
participate  in  the  honour  and  peril  of  the  com- 
mon cause. 

IN  Mew  England  the  generous  enterprise  of 
individuals  conceived  and  executed  projects  that 
would  have  reflected  honour  on  the  best  esta- 
blished governments.  Dean,  Wooster  and  Par- 
son, with  whom  afterwards  were  associated  Ar- 
nold of  the  same  state,  and  colonel  Ethan  Allen 
of  Vermont,  formed  the  bold  project  of  sur- 
prising the  important  posts  of  Ticonderoga  and 
Crown  Point,  and  gaining  the  command  of  the 
lakes  George  and  Caam plain.  On  the  credit  of 
these  gentlemen  a  small  sum  was  procured  from 
the  legislature  of  Connecticut.  By  the  personal 
influence  of  Allen  a  body  of  hardy  mountaineers 
was  raised  in  the  neigbourhood  of  the  la1*  es9 
whose  knowledge  of  the  country  would  facilitr.re 
the  operations.  By  well  concerted  plans,  exe- 
cuted with  vigour  and  ability,  thrse  posts  were 
successively  surprihtd.  Nothing  now  was  want- 
ing to  a  complete  command  of  tht  hikes  hut  the 
seizure  of  a  sloop  of  w  T,  which  lay  at  Sr  J  h  's, 
and  ihis  too  was  happily  effected  b)  Arnold,  who 
fitted  out  a  schooner  ioui-cl  LJ  S^uth  Bay,  and 
took  her  without  opposition. 

THESE  important  points,  for  the  possession 
of  which  so  much  British  ai  d  Anieri-  an  !>i'j-.d 
had  been  shed,  and  which  for  foi  t\  yen  s  h=  <i  'wn 
the  theatre  of  so  many  brilliant  atchkvejK-ents, 
were  gained  without  the  loss  of  a  m ;>,n,  Tiv.y 
were  die  keys  to  the  British  possessions  in  Ca- 


VIRGINIA,  45 

nada,  and  a  considerable  supply  of  arms,  ammu-     CHAP, 
nition  ai.ci  of  those  articles  in  which  the  Ameri-          ^*  _ 
cans  were  deficient,  were   found  in  them;  but       1775.  ' 
superior  to   their  intrinsic  value  was   the   lustre 
tht  ir  acquisition  shed  on  the  American  character. 

It  is  a  curious  fact,  that  a  plan  precisely  in  all 
respects  the  same,  had  been  submitted  to  the  le- 
gislature of  Massachusetts  by  Arnold,  without 
any  previous  concert  or  correspondence  with  the 
Connecticut  adventurers  ;  a  strong  evidence  of 
the  bold  and  adventurous  spirit  which  at  this  time 
pervaded  America. 

CONGRESS,  on  receiving  information  of  these 
events,  recommended  to  the  committees  of  York 
and  Albany  the  removal  of  the  cannon  and  mili- 
tary stores  from  those  posts,  in  order  for  their 
preservation  and  security,  with  a  view  as  they 
pretended,  that  they  might  be  safely  returned, 
when  the  restoration  of  the  harmony  between  G. 
Britain  and  her  colonies,  so  ardently  wished  for 
by  the  latter,  should  render  it  prudent  and  con- 
sistent with  the  over-ruling  law  of  self  preserva- 
tion. Thus  anxious  were  they  to  avoid  the 
charge  of  inconsistency ?  in  thus  over  passing  the 
limits  of  self  d. £  nee. 

ON  mature  reflection,  however,  it  was  resolv- 
ed that  these  posts  should  be  maintained.  But 
still  anxious  of  removing  all  uneasiness  from  the 
minds  of  the  Canadians,  by  holding  thus  the 
keys  of  their  country,  they  resolved  that  no  expe- 
dition or  incursion  ought  to  be  undertaken,  or 
made  by  any  colony  or  body  of  colonists',  against 
or  into  Canada. 

MEANWHILE    the    reinforcements    expected 

from  England  having  arrived,  under  the  generals 

Howe,  Burgoyne   and  Clinton,  martial  law  w.is 

proclaimed,  accompanied  with   an  assurance  of 

3K 


458  HISTORYOF 

CHAP,     pardon  and  indemnity  to  such  as  would  return  to 
:          their  allegiance,  with  the  exception  of  John  Han- 
ccck  ard  Samuel  A  clangs,  whose  generous  and 
animated  zeal  in  supporting  the  rights  of  Ame- 
rica had  rendered  them  peculiarly  obnoxious. 

THESE  wtrt  but  the  forerunners  of  more  im- 
portal  t  proceedings.  In  obedience  to  the  recom- 
irt negation  oi  tlie  provincial  congress,  measures 
h:  d  been  adopted  for  the  deft  nee  of  Dorchester 
Keck,  and  Bunker  Hill,  a  commanding  emi- 
rui  ct  which,  situated  within  the  peninsula  on 
which  Cbi:rlcxu./\\n  stands,  commanded  at  once 
that  town  and  Boston. 

^N  coiformaice  with  these  instructions,  a  par. 
t,  ;  s  on  ty  of  the  Americans  under  general  Prescot,  pass- 
hill  ed  the  cause  way  under  cover  of  the  night,  and 
took  post  on  the  declivity  of  this  eminence.  By 
incredible  exertions,  carried  on  unremittingly 
dining  the  rigl-i,  a  redoubt  about  forty  yards 
square  was  constructed,  and  a  breast  work  stretch- 
i<  g  from  the  east  side  of  the  redoubt  to  the  hot- 
torn  of  the  hill,  by  extending  their  line,  enabled 
th<m  to  employ  a  larger  body  of  troops  for  the 
defence  of  this  important  position. 

THE  ensuing  d  wu  disclosed  to  the  astonished 
Britons  these  wot  ks,  risen  all  at  once  like  an  ex- 
halation of  the  morning,  and  it  was  some  time 
btfort  full  credit  was  given  to  the  reality  of  the 
object.  rl  he  Bi-itkh  general  saw  in  a  moment 
ah  ihe  value  of  this  position,  and  measures  were 
immediately  tr.kep.  lor  driving  the  provincials. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  nearness  of  this  s  emi- 
r»<  nee  to  the  British  pests  on  the  other  side  of  the 
tivcr,  and  thr   vlqibiiee    that   must  have  every 
vbcrc  cxisix-d  in   a  town  besieged,  so  profound 
nee  of  the   Americans,  that  not  the 
or  evcji  suspicion  was  excited. 


VIRGINIA.  459 

THE  B-hish  general  felt  in  a  moment  all  the    CHAP. 
importance   of  'lus   position,  as  well  as  the  im-        \     ^ 
p  opriety    of   having    hitherto  neglectrd   to  oc- 
cupy it,  and    measures  were  immediately  taken 
to  dispossess  the  Americans.     They  were  now 
distinctly  seen   busy  in  completing  the  works, 
when  a  cannonade  opened  from  every  gun  t'mt 
could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  this  point :   But 
this  fire,  terrible  though  it  was,  and  well  calcu- 
lated   to    strike    a    panic   amongst  raw  troops, 
having  produced  not  even  the  effect  of  suspend- 
ing   for  a  moment  the  labours  of  the  provincials, 
Major  general  Howe  and  brigadier  general  Pigot 
were  detached  with  twenty  companies  of  grena-  British 
diers  and  liarht  infantry,  and  several  field  pieces,  send  a  force 

to  t;ke  it  by  storm.  todiTS' 

rn  11111  •       sess  them. 

I  H  i  s   detachment   debarked  on  the  opposite 

side  of  Charles  river  at  Moreton's  Point,  and 
im  nediately  formed  in  order  of  battle.  They  had 
now  an  opportunity  of  viewing  more  distinctly 
the  situation  and  strength  of  this  extraordinary 
redoubt,  and  their  observations  suggested  the 
prudence  of  waiting  for  a  reinforcement.  1  he 
extent  of  the  American  lines  supposed  a  garrison 
of  at  least  three  thousand  men,  the  issue  of  an 
attack  on  whom,  covered  as  they  were,  was  con- 
sidered as  justly  precarious.  But  what  particu- 
larly directed  the  judgment  of  the  general  was 
the  profound  silence,  and  the  order  and  firmness 
with  which  the  Americans  waited  the  assauif. 
They  had  opposed  no  interruption  to  the  British 
whilst  passing  the  river,  or  after  their  deixtnci- 
tion  ;  but  appeared  to  reserve  them  vvith  a 

gloomy  determination,  until  a  nearer  approach  of 
their  enemies  should  render  their  iire  more  ef- 
ficient and  tremendous. 

THE  delay  on  the  part  of  t;ie    Brit'  .-led 

the  Americans  also  to  remiorjo  tuU  position  with 


;60  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  a  considerable  body  under  the  generals  Wafrert 
and  Pomeroy.  They  had  time  also  to  pull  up  some 
adjoining  fences,  which  being  disposed  in  two 
lines  parallel  to  each  other  and  stuff  d  with  hay, 
afforded  a  toleiable  secuiity  against  musque- 
try, 

THE  expected  reinforcement  having  at  length 
arrived,  the  British  army  in  two  lines  moved  slowly 
up  the  hiil,  under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  of  can- 
non  and  howiizers,  occasionally  halting,  to  allow 
time  for  their  cannon  to  demolish  the  works. 

WHILST  moving  towards  the  works,  orders 
were  issued  lor  burning  Charlestown,  a  hand- 
seme  village,  containing  about  five  hundred 
L'  I'  es,  which  flanked  their  line  of  march.  The 
•  (  s  bt  ing  principally  constructed  of  wood, 
\v«  ie  suddenly  in  a  blaze,  a  spectacle  which 
iiUrjed  by  the  roar  of  cannon,  the  approach- 
i'  g  Conflict  of  i he  two  armies,  and  the  agonizing 
solicitude  and  strong  emotions  of  multitudes  who 
crouded  the  numerous  hills,  was  well  calculated 
to  give  to  the  mind  a  character  of  sublimity. 

THE  British  were  permitted  to  approach  to 
within  less  than  one  hundred  yards,  when  all  at 
once  a  flood  of  fire  burst  from  every  part  of  the 
entrenchment,  which  but  a  minute  before  ap« 
peared  to  be  abandoned  to  silence  and  depopula- 
tion, and  the  enemy  were  almost  immediately 
driven  back  in  confusion.  By  the  exertions  of 
their  officers,  they  were  with  difficulty  brought 
again  to  the  charge,  but  were  as  suddenly  broken 
and  driven  back  by  a  renewal  of  the  same  dread- 
ful volley.  General  do  we  was  at  one  time  left 
almost  alone,  and  most  of  the  officers  about  him 
were  either  killed  or  wounded.  But  notwith- 
standing these  severe  repulses,  the  British  had 
extended  their  line  so  as  to  assault  the  works  on 
three  sides  at  once  ;  while  the  breast- work  was 


VIRGINIA.  461 

raked  by  some  pieces  of  cannon :  It  was  obser-     CHAP, 
vable  too  that  the  fire  from  the  Americans  had      ^^  iffi. 
considerably  slackened,  which  could  be  ascribed  ~ 
only  to  a  scarcity  of  ammunition.     At  this  crisis 
the  British  were  once  more  rallied,  and  with  the  British  gain 
utmost  difficulty  led   to  the  redoubt,  which  was  the  *"H- 
mounted  with  ease  and  carried  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.    The  ardour  of  the  Americans  did  not, 
however,  yet  give  up  the  contest ;  they  fou^tit  with 
clubbed  muskets  until  the  redoubt  was  naif  filled 
by  the  English  troops. 

THE  fail  of  the  redoubt  drew  after  it  that  of 
the  breast  work,  which  was  defended  with  equal 
gallantry,  and  the  provincials  retreated  over 
Charlestown  neck  in  the  face  of  the  victorious 
enemy,  exposed  to  the  cross  fire  of  the  Glasgow 
man  of  war  and  two  floating  batteries.  In  this 
hazardous  operation  they  experienced  little  loss, 
although  the  supposed  danger  of  encountering 
this  force  had  deterred  the  reinforcements  from 
coming  to  their  assistance,  and  had  prevented 
them  from  receiving  sufficient  supplies  of  ammu- 
nition. 

IN  this  battle  more  than  one  third  of  the  troops 
engaged,  composing  the  flower  of  the  British  ar- 
my, were  either  killed  or  wounded  :  Whilst  that 
of  the  Americans  was  comparatively  small.  The 
death  of  Dr.  Warren,  who  had  just  been  appointed 
brigadier  general,  but  who  acted  only  as  a  vo- 
lunteer on  this  occasion,  was  seriously  regretted. 
In  other  respects  the  Americans  had  every  rea- 
son to  be  satisfied,  and  the  affair  of  Bunker  Hill 
was  justly  considered  as  an  important  victory. 
The  British,  'tis  true,  had  gained  possession  of 
the  hill :  But  they  might  exclaim  with  Phyr, 
"  One  su^h  victory  more,  and  we  are  undone  :" 
Whilst  the  provincials,  inferior  in  numbers 
unaccustomed  to  war,  felt  their  confidence  rise 


462 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAP. 
V. 

A  congress. 


Grorge 
Washinjr- 
tonappoir... 
e.-»  com- 
ma T>  df  r  in 
chief. 


by  the  issue  of  this  encounter  with  vetera^  troops£ 
MEANWHILE  congress,  which   hadcouvuud 
at  Philadelphia,  on  the  first  information  of  these 
even  s,  proceeded  to  an  organization  of  the  nuti- 
onv.l  force,  for  a  general  and  effective  resistance. 
WITH  this  view   they   recommended   to  the 
conventions  of  the  several  stares  to  use  their  ut- 
most exertions  to  provide  the  means  of  making 
gun  powder,  and  to  obtain  sufficient  supplies  of 
ammunition  ;  and  the  non- importation  agreement 
was   relaxed  in  favour   of  vessels  bringing  car- 
goes of  those  articles.     With  a  like  earnestness 
they  were  urged  to  arm  and  discipline  their  mili- 
tia, one  fourth  of  which  should  be  classed  as  minute 
men.     The  provinces  were  at  the  same  time  au- 
thorised severally  to  raise  a  body  of  regulars  not 
exceeding  one  thousand  men ;  and  a  recommend- 
ation was  made  for  raising   a  force  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  continent.  Bills  of  credit  to  the  amount 
of  thee  millions  of  Spanish  milled  dollars  were 
emitted,  for   the   purpose   of  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  the  war,  and  the  twelve^  confederated 
colonies  were  pledged  for  their  redemption  ;  ar- 
ticles of  war  were  formed  for  the  government  of 
the  army,  and  a  solemn  declaration  in  the  form  of 
a  manifesto,  was  prepared  to  be  published  to  the 
army  in  orders,  and  to  the  people  from  the  pulpit. 
IN    pursuance    of    these    measures,    George 
vton  of  Virginia,  so  well  known  by  his 
5  the  late  war,  was  appointed  coinmand- 
o  in  chief  of  the  forces  raised,  and  to  be  raised, 
»ce  and  preservation  of  Ameri- 
can lib.  m  ,  and  a  solemn  declaration  was  unani- 
i'd  into,    that  they  would  maintain, 
assist  anil  adhere  to  hka  wiih  their  lives  and  for- 
ndcr   in  chief,  after  a  short 
,     \rhere   several  important 
to  ue  decided  on,  proceeded  to 


VIRGINIA.  463 

Cambridge,  and  entered  on  the  arduous  duties     CHAP. 

of  his  high  station  with  the  entire  confidence  of        v>    T 
the  army  and  people.  1775^ 

HE  found  the  British  closely  invested  in  Bos- 
ton, and  a  large  but  disorganized  and  undisci- 
plined army  deficient  in  arms  and  ammunition, 
but  abounding  in  ardour  and  courage,  to  reduce 
Which  to  order,  and  to  supply  whose  wants,  re- 
quired  the  whole  of  his  patience  and  sagacity. 
For  these  purposes  he  was  admirably  fitted  by  his 
temper  and  address.  Undtr  his  direction,  as- 
sisted by  the  resolutions  of  congress,  privateers 
issued  from  the  ports  of  New-England,  and  re- 
turned with  rich  prizes,  freighted  often  with  the 
articles  most  essential  in  military  service.  By  a 
variety  of  prudent  and  skilful  dispositions,  the 
enemy's  quarters  were  straightened,  and  their 
regular  supplies  of  provisions  cut  off.  and  finally 
by  the  possession  of  Dorchester  Heights,  the  British  eva* 
enemy  were  compelled  to  evacuate  Boston. 

BUT  previous  to  this  event,  an  important  ex- 
pedition had  been  projected  by  congress  for  the 
possession  of  Canada,  under  the  command  of 
major  general  Schuyler,  assisted  by  brigadiers 
Wooster  and  Montgomery.  The  indisposition 
of  the  commander  in  chief  devolved  the  arduous 
duties  of  this  important  command  on  Richaid 
Montgomery,  an  Irishman,  who  h:  d  acquin  d 
considerable  reputation  and  experience  during 
the  late  war,  and  who  from  the  very  commence- 
ment of  the  disputes  between  the  mother  COM  - 
try  and  the  colonies,  had  taken  a  decided  part  in 
favour  of  the  rights  of  America.  With  a  force 
not  exceeding  two  thousand  men,  he  embarked 
on  the  Sorel  river,  and  invested  fort  St.  John's, 
defended  by  a  garrison  of  six  hundred  regulars 
and  two  hundred  Canadians,  The  capture  of  fort 
Chamble,  by  a  detachment  under  majors  Brown 


464  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,     and  Livingston,  by   affording  a  seasonable  sup- 
ply of  ammunition  and  artillery,  accelerated  the 
fall  of  this  fortress ;  the  defeat  of  major   Mac- 
J-Vft*,          lean,  a  veteran  officer,  marching  to  its  relief,  by 

Cbamblcs,   co[onei  Warren,    determined  this   event  :  The 

S..  Johns,  .  .  7  .  ,         .          ~    ,     . 

ana  Mon-     garrison,  in  consideration  of  their  gallant  resist- 

tre«il,  taken  ance,  being  permitted  to  retire  with  the  honours 
by  Momgo  of  war.  Having,  with  uncommon  address  and 
difficulty,  induced  the  troops  whose  time  of  ser- 
vice had  expired,  to  remain  one  month  longer, 
and  placed  garrisons  in  forts  St.  John's  and 
Chamble,  he  proceeded  without  halting  to  the 
reduction  of  Montreal;  his  floating  batteries  un- 
der colonel  Easton  at  the  same  time  continuing 
to  advance  up  the  St.  Laurence.  The  usual 
good  fortune  of  Montgomery  attended  him  on 
this  occasion.  Montreal  and  the  fket  of  Carle- 
ton  surrendered :  But  that  experienced  general 
himself  made  his  escape  down  the  river  in  the 
night  in  a  boat  with  muftk-d  oars. 

To  co-operate  in  this  important  expedition, 
the  commander  in  chiel  had  dispatched  colonel  Ar- 
nold with  about  one  thousand  irsen,  b)  the  Kenr,e- 
beck  river,  through  that  savage  wilderness  1}  ir.fr 
between  the  settled  parts  of  >r,d  the  St. 

Laurence.  This  hardy  deUK.hriieiit,  after  en- 
countering inert dibie  hardships,  em  rgrd  ac 
length  to  the  astonish  mem  of  the  C;  in 

the  neighbourhood  ofChaudiere  :  on  tl u-  9-  No- 
vember the  detachment  readied  Point  Ltvi, 
posite  Quebec,  and  on  the  14ih  eluding-  the 
armed  vessels,  he  crossed  over  in  the  mp;hi  aud 
formed  his  small  army  on  tht  Heights  of  Abra- 
ham. Here  he  was  joined  by  general  Montgo- 
mery with  about  three  hundred  men,  all  thatYe- 
raained  of  his  army  after  garrisoning  Montreal 
and  granting  a  discharge  to  the  troops  whc^e 
time  gf  service  hud  expired.  The  American 


VIRGINIA.  « 

force,  even  after  this  junction,  was  still  inferior  to  CHAP 
the  enemy's  garrison,  and  in  this  inclement  regi-  v< 
on,  where  the  frost  sets  in  early  and  with  intense 
severity,  the  troops  were  but  badly  clad  and  1775. 
scarcely  supplied  with  provisions  ;  and  the  hard- 
ships and  consequent  discontent  of  his  raw  and 
inexperienced  troops,  would  encrease  rather  than 
diminish  by  time.  In  this  emergence  Montgo- 
mery embraced  an  expedient  suited  alike  to  the 
nature  of  the  crisis,  and  the  elevation  of  his  geni- 
us. The  works  of  Quebec,  although  strong  by 
nature,  and  rendered  difficult  of  access,  at  all  its 
weak  points  by  numerous  artificial  defences,  were 
too  extensive  for  its  present  garrison  ;  and  suc- 
cess at  any  of  the  points  of  attack  would  distract 
the  attention  and  embarrass  the  operations  of  the 
enemy,  who  conscious  of  their  own  weakness,  and 
impressed  with  a  belief  of  the  superior  numbers 
of  the  assailants,  would  abandon  a  defence,  which 
might  be  justly  regarded  as  desperate.  The  con- 
dition of  the  garrison  too,  composed  principally 
of  Canadians  and  sailors,  and  containing  only  a 
small  proportion  of  regular  troops,  promised  to 
oppose  no  adequate  and  effectual  resistance  :  But 
above  all  other  motives,  the  circumstances  of  his 
own  army  engaged  his  attention,  and  decided  his 
judgment.  The  time  of  service  of  a  considera- 
ble portion  of  his  troops  would  almost  immedi- 
ately expire,  and  he  was  in  possession  of  no  in- 
ducement strong  enough  to  detain  them  a  second 
time,  on  a  theatre,  where  they  would  have  to  en- 
counter winter  in  his  wildest  and  most  terrific 
form ;  privations,  of  every  description,  added  to  war 
attended  with  every  circumstance  of  peril,  and 
with  scarcely  any  prospect  of  success.  Under  these 
circumstances  it  was  determined  to  attempt  an 
assault,  and  every  thing  being  at  length  prepare^ 


HISTORY  OF 


1775 


between  four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  morning.— 
On  a  signal  given,  the  several  divisions  moved  to 
t^ie  assau^  m  tne  roidst  of  a  violent  storm  of  snow> 
whilst  to  distract  the  enemy's  attention,  from  the 
side  of  the  river  St.  Laurence,  along  the  fortified 
"  front  round  the  bason,  every  part  seemed  equally 
threatened.    The  division  of  Arnold  moved  in  files 
along  the  street  St.  Roches,  towards  the  St.   Ma- 
telots.     Here  was  the  first  barrier  of  the  enemy, 
and  a  battery  of  t\vo  twelve  pounders,  which  it 
was  necessary  to  force.     In  approaching  this  bat- 
tery, Arnold  had  his  leg  shattered  by  a  musquet 
ball,  and  was  carried  oft  the  field  to  the  hospital  :  but 
his  place  being   instantly  supplied    by  Morgan, 
who  commanded  a  company  of  Virginia  Riflemen, 
the  battery  was  instantly  mounted  by  the  help  of 
ladders,  having  been  previously  abandoned  by  the 
enemy.     But  the  main  body  did  not  as  was  ex- 
pected advance  to  his  support  ;  in  addition  to  his 
own  company,  he  was  followed  but  by  a  few  bold 
individuals  :  It  was  yet  dark,  he  had  no  guides, 
and  not  the  slightest  knowledge  of  his  route,  and 
in  spite  of  his  own  impatience,  and  that  of  his 
brave  followers,    it   became  necessary   to  halt, 
whilst  he  repaired  in  person  to  the  barrier,  which 
had  been  passed  lor  the  purpose  of  bringing  up 
the  remainder  of  the  troops.     Here  he  was  joined 
b)  lieutenant  colonel  Green,  and  majors  Bigelow 
and  Meigs,  with  parts  of  companies,  composing 
a  total  of  about  200  men  :  and  this  little  band  of 
heroes  with  Morgan's  company  in  front,  was  led 
at  their  own  pressing  solicitation,  to  the  assault 
cf  the  second  barrier.     But  for  this  their  force 
was  utterly  incompetent  :  they  were  exposed  in 
a  narrow  street  to  a  most  destructive  fire  ;  and 
opposed  in  front  by  superior  numbers,  covered 
and  out  of  the  reach  of  danger  ;  the  day  too  was 
every  moment  becoming  clearer,  the  enemy  became 


VIRGINIA.  467 

acquainted  with  their  weakness,  and  having  made  CHAP, 
a  sortie  with  two  hundred  men,  they  took  captain  ^* 
Dearborn,  with  the  rear  guard  prisoners.  In  this 
desperate  situation  Morgan  proposed  to  a  counc.l 
of  the  officers  present  to  fight  their  way  to  their 
company,  which  was  delayed  only  by  the  sug- 
gestion that  Montgomery  might  be  successful, 
and  that  their  co-operation  would  be  essential : 
But  the  numbers  of  the  enemy  every  moment  en- 
creasing  and  the  prospect  of  relief  appearing  des- 
perate, they  were  compelled  to  surrender  at  10 
o'clock  prisoners  of  war. 

THE  fate  of  the  division  commanded  by  Mont- 
gomery,    was  equally   disastrous.     That  gallant 
spirit  advancing  along  the  St.  Laurence,  by  the 
way  of  Aunce  de  Mere*  under  captain  Diamond, 
took  possession  of  a  block  house  about  200  yards 
in  front  of  the  first  barrier,  the  Canadians  abandon, 
ing  it  after  an  ineffectual  fire  at  his  approach.     In 
their   flight    they    communicated    their    terrors 
to  the  troops  defending  the  barrier  and  redoubt, 
and  these  two  were  abandoned  with  precipation. 
At  this  interesting  crisis  Quebec  was  saved  by 
one  of  those  extraordinary  circumstances,  which 
often  defeat  the  wisest  and  best .  concerted  mea- 
sures.    Whilst  moving  at  the  head  of  his  follow- 
ers in  the  narrow  path  round  captain  Diamond, 
and  assisting  with  his  own  hands  to  pull  up  the 
pickets  to  make  way  for  the  troops  ;  he  was  ob- 
liged to  halt  a  few  minutes  until  a  sufficient  force 
could  make  their  way  to  him.     At  the  head  of 
two  hundred  he  at  length  proceeded  to  the  attack 
of  the  barrier:  but  the  fatal  interval  of  delay  had 
given  time  to  one  or  two  of  the  enemy  to  return 
to  the  battery,  who  having  taken  a  slow  match  lay- 
ing by  one  of  the  guns,  discharged  a  single  can- 
non at  the  American  van,  now  within  forty  paces 
of  it.     This  single  and  accidental  fire  decided  the 


68  HISTORY  OF 

CHAP,  fate  of  the  day.  Montgomery  with  captain* 
Cheeseman  and  McPherson,  together  with  his  or- 
derly sergeant  and  a  private,  were  killed  upon  the 
spot ;  and  the  detachment  disheartened  by  the  loss 
GI  cheir  general,  retreated  precipitately  under  co- 
lonel Campbell  from  the  action. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  this  severe  repulse,  Ar- 
nold still  kept  Quebec  in  a  state  of  siege,  until  re- 
inforcements  should  arrive,  sufficient  to  enable 
him  to  resume  offensive  operations. 

THE  union  was  now  complete,  Georgia  hav- 
ing formally  acceded  to  the  confederacy  :  The 
intellectual  energies,  which  during  a  season  of 
calm,  lie  dormant  and  buried,  were  now  drawn 
out,  and  their  effects  were  in  the  highest  degree 
grand  and  impressive.  Nor  was  it  only  by  the 
proper  genius  and  valor  of  her  children,  that  the 
cause  ot  America  was  advanced  and  adorned. — - 
Attracted  by  the  glory  of  the  revolutionary  morn- 
ing,  souls  of  ethereal  stamp  flocked  from  the  re- 
motest regions,  and  rallied  round  the  first  pure  al- 
tar, raised  to  the  worship  of  liberty.  Imperial 
Britain  reluctantly  gave  a  Gates,  ardent  in  courage, 
of  elegant  manners,  of  incorruptible  integrity,  fated 
to  experience  on  one  occasion,  the  mortification 
of  defeat,  fated  also,  to  atchieve  the  most  useful 
and  brilliant  of  victories  :  Lee,  whose  eagle  swoop 
extended  to  every  region  of  human  knowledge, 
and  returned  impressed  with  a  lively  and  lasting 
image  of  life  and  manners  rendered  more  vivid  by 
the  scintillating  operation  of  his  own  genius ; 
Paine,  whose  humble  and  retired  labors  out- 
weighed the  value  of  victories  :  Perhaps  it  is  not 
too  much  to  say  that  the  pen  of  this  self  taught 
philosopher  was  equally  efficacious  as  the  cannon 
of  Saratoga  and  York  town — France  gave  a  La 
Fayette,  uniting  the  graceful  levity  of  youth  to  the 
thought  and  the  reflection  of  age.  Even  the  cold  vi- 


VIRGINIA/  469 

sions  of  the  North  afforded  the  strong  scintillati.     CHAP. 
ens  of  vigorous  capacity,  Puiaski,  De  Kaib,  Steu-        Vt 
ben.     Scotland  the  country  of  Bruce,  of  Fletcher  " 
and  Buchanan,  gave  a  Sterling  and  a  Mercer  ; 
and  Ireland  rich  in  every  species  of  genius,  gave 
generals  and  governors  and  armies  to  the  revo- 
lution. 


END  OF  THE  THIRD  VOLUME. 


JOHJV    DICKSOW,    PRINTER, 

BOLLINGBROOK    STREET. 


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